New York Giants rookie defensive back Julian Love has that connection with Justin Tuck, as they’re both former Notre Dame standouts.
Fans love to talk about the early-round draft picks the New York Giants made in April. “Daniel Jones this…DeAndre Baker that.” It makes sense, due to the fact those guys are the future of this organization. But one selection that may be getting overlooked thus far is defensive back Julian Love.
Defensive end Justin Tuck was drafted in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Giants out of Notre Dame. Although they’ve never personally met each other, Love and Tuck have that Notre Dame-type connection.
“It’s hard to go to Notre Dame and not know Justin Tuck,” Love said this week, per Ryan Dunleavy of nj.com. “He was such a force in the community and dorm life. He was always around the team, and when you see him he is the biggest guy there. He is a guy who has done it all, on and off the field.”
The fourth round selection will compete with Baker and Sam Beal for that weak-side cornerback position. Janoris Jenkins will most likely retain his spot as the No. 1 corner. However, it seems the Giants may want to give Love some reps at the free safety position because, let’s be honest, Antoine Bethea is not getting any younger.
“In college, sometimes it’s just, ‘Alright, go play man inside,’” Love said. “Now it’s getting your pressures going, getting your zone concepts, getting into your run fit. It’s the whole playbook open. Before I was playing man pretty easy. Now it’s a lot. The more looks you give the better. I’m trying to do it all.”
Regardless of where Love plays on the field for Big Blue this year, Tuck made it known that he’s a fan of the rookie.
“I would love to have the corner type he is,” Tuck said. “It seems as though he is the type of guy who is not going to make a mistake. He is going to be in the right coverages and so on and so forth and give you a chance to win. As he gets older and more mature in this league, I think he definitely has the talent to play big-time football for a long time. I really like that pick.”
The cornerback spot opposite of Jenkins should be one of the more interesting position battles for the Giants leading up to the regular season. Beal, Baker, and Love all bring unique qualities to the field, and each could fit in well with this new Giants secondary.
