The New York Jets got a standout performance from Brandon Codrington, a former HBCU football star looking to make its 53-man roster.
The former North Carolina Central standout had big returns on punt and kick returns in Saturday’s New York Jets game against the Carolina Panthers. The cornerback had a combined 109 return yards in the game, including a 69-yard kick return.
Head coach Robert Saleh was definitely aware of his impact.
![Brandon Codrington, HBCU Gameday New York Jets](https://hbcugameday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BCodringtonPhoto.jpg?w=1024&h=576&crop=1)
“Definitely seized his opportunities. I think he’s – for both (punt and kick return) teams – the most productive. Set up a couple of scoring drives…but that’s what he’s here for,” Saleh said after the game. “That’s why we brought him in – his punt return and kick return ability – and I thought he did a really nice job today.”
Brandon Codrington had a standout career at North Carolina Central University, where he was a key player in its football program that won the HBCU national title in 2022. Starting as a freshman in 2019, Codrington quickly made his mark as a third-team All-MEAC selection. By 2021, he was named to the All-MEAC First Team, leading the conference with a 15.0-yard punt return average. In his senior season, he returned two punts for touchdowns, including an 81-yard return against Winston-Salem State.
Codrington was signed by the New York Jets as a free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft.