The New York Jets signed former third-round draft pick Andre Cisco this offseason. ... and hope he can be a local kid made good.
Cisco is New York born and bred, being born in Queens and growing up in Valley Stream on Long Island. Cisco attended St. Anthony's High School in Huntington, New York before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida.
Cisco, a 6-0, 210-pound safety, saw success at IMG, leading him to return to New York State as he played his collegiate career for the Syracuse Orange. Cisco grew up a fan of the Jets, and after a four-year career with the Jacksonville Jaguars is back home playing for his favorite team.
Cisco opened up about his childhood fandom on Wednesday during an OTA session. While he never made it to a Jets training camp at Hofstra University as a fan, he recalls walking past the camp each and every summer. Cisco revealed that he always learned more Jets than Giants, and when it came to picking a favorite player, Cisco had a pick that likely resonates with a lot of Jets fans.
"I always lead with Mark Sanchez. He was at the helm, he was super popular, especially in my hometown, around the Latino community, people that I knew," Cisco said at OTAs.
Cisco is looking to turn his career around in New York. Cisco showed a lot of promise in his first couple of seasons in Jacksonville, but struggled mightily in 2024. Cisco had an up-and-down campaign, finishing with a career-low 58.8 Pro Football Focus grade, and his lackluster play led to him being benched late in the season.
The Jets still see potential in Cisco, which led to them signing him to a one-year deal worth $8.5 million, one of the team's largest free agent signings this offseason.
Cisco is still just years old, and the Jets are hoping for a bounce-back campaign under the tutelage of first year head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, a pair of individuals with experience coaching defensive backs. Working and learning under the pair, the Jets are hopeful Cisco can unlock his true potential.
The Jets secondary was looking for playmakers and tone-setters, and Cisco offers both. The reunion with his hometown team could b the spark he needs to turn his career around.