Zach Wilson is headed to New York.
The former BYU quarterback was taken with the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
Setting so many records last season, Wilson added another one as he became BYU’s highest-ever NFL draft selection. Former Cougar greats Jim McMahon and Ezekiel Ansah held the previously record as both went No. 5 overall picks in their respective NFL Draft classes.
Wilson is expected to start in his rookie season for the Jets, as New York traded quarterback Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers, clearing the way for Wilson.
A three-year starter at BYU, Wilson jumped up the draft board thanks to his stellar 2020 season in which he led the Cougars to an 11-1 record, a bowl win over UCF, and helped BYU finish with a No. 11 ranking in the final AP poll.
Wilson, who many compare to his style of play to Patrick Mahomes, was one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the nation last year, throwing for 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns and a 73.5% completion percentages. He also rushed for 254 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Here’s how the sports world reacted to his selection:
It’s about that time @zachkapono1 Nfl draft pic.twitter.com/JB4d79uwTA
— Mike Wilson (@wilsonohana) April 29, 2021
Alright hurry up @Jaguars
— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 30, 2021
Jets take BYU QB Zach Wilson.
And now, the 2021 NFL Draft is underway!
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2021
Always remember this moment, @zachkapono1.
📺 2021 #NFLDraft — NFLN/ESPN/ABC
💻 Draft-A-Thon — @NFL pic.twitter.com/EJsmGHxrgU— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 30, 2021
A dream come true, and it’s just the beginning. You haven’t seen anything yet! RT if you’re with me @nyjets fans! #NFLDraft2021 @verizon #VerizonPartner pic.twitter.com/Ltv6qiUjmu
— Zachary Wilson (@zachkapono1) April 30, 2021
IT'S OFFICIAL!!
With the SECOND pick in the 2021 #NFLDraft the @nyjets select @zachkapono1!! pic.twitter.com/kMR5NLNyds
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) April 30, 2021
Someone tell the @nyjets that we drafted @zachkapono1 years ago in Harlem. He was already our 1st round draft pick 😂. Congrats @zachkapono1 Dreams do come true. You got a huge fan base already here. We are definitely coming to watch you this season and cheer you on. #M2L pic.twitter.com/9iNI77ILJ5
— Harlem Jets Inc (@Harlem__Jets) April 30, 2021
A lot of BYU fans were wrong on Zach Wilson. Whitt was wrong on Zach Wilson. Difference is that BYU still got the best QB ever from the state of Utah and the #2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) April 29, 2021
The only time red looks good near Zach Wilson. pic.twitter.com/WLfqvcWYkD
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) April 29, 2021
Jets fans loving Zach Wilson at No. 2 🎉 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/6aCT7E1mA5
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 30, 2021
How it started || How it’s going pic.twitter.com/oGp6KNJiOR
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) April 29, 2021
— BYU Hype Train Conductor (@joewheat27) April 30, 2021
Zach Wilson @BYUfootball
This is huge. Proud alumni #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/IplsOwbXSJ
— Dr. Derwin L. Gray (@DerwinLGray) April 30, 2021
I love me some Zach Wilson. The @nyjets got a quarterback who has the most explosive arm in the draft and a guy with a lot of Rodgers and Mahomes ish qualities. I am excited about him and the fit. Wilson and LaFleur can be a lot like Rodgers and LaFleur
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 30, 2021
Z-A-C-H, Zach! Zach! Zach!
The New York Jets select QB Zach Wilson with the No. ✌️ overall pick. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/vDJVCa11W2
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 30, 2021
Never really been a Jets fan, but I’m a fan of this kid! @zachkapono1 deserves everything that has come his way. Enjoy the moment, kid! https://t.co/w9KcRKHeVY
— jeff grimes (@coachgrimey) April 30, 2021
Whether you bleed red or blue, it’s exciting that #ZachWilson went #2 in the #NFLDraft2021 pic.twitter.com/INeKCfV6JX
— Deanie Wimmer (@DeanieWimmer) April 30, 2021
Zach Wilson, after watching the Jets practice for the first time #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/O2Hql7k9eh
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) April 30, 2021
The Jets have been looking for a quarterback since man landed on the moon.
— Robin Lundberg (@robinlundberg) April 30, 2021
LETS GO TO WORK KID!!!!!! @zachkapono1 https://t.co/wmosAZhKDN
— Trending Topic 🤫 (@BigTicket73) April 30, 2021
Let’s gooooo!!!!!
— Nathanias (@nathanias) April 30, 2021
Zach Wilson is ecstatic and wants to be here. Refreshing to see that for the Jets.
— Erika 😷 (@emesola) April 30, 2021
The Jets should take Justin Fields. He's ready to play next year and will be better than Zach Wilson. No idea why the Jets locked in so early on Wilson.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 30, 2021
PROVE THEM WRONG
— Paulie Bruz (@Paulie_Bruz) April 30, 2021
This season on The Bachelor pic.twitter.com/ywLcA0fGFN
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) April 29, 2021
