Palmer grad released by Jets

ALMER — Junior Aumavae’s drive to land a spot on a regular-season National Football League roster hit a detour Saturday. The 2004 Palmer High School graduate and former Moose football standout was one of 22 players released by the New York Jets as the team cut its roster to the league maximum of 53 players.

“The harder you fall, the higher you will bounce. Thank you (New York Jets) for giving me this opportunity to compete in the preseason,” Aumavae wrote on his Twitter account early Saturday morning.

Aumavae was on the field for a career-high 45 snaps during a 27-20 win over Philadelphia last Thursday, the final preseason game for the Jets. The 27-year-old defensive lineman appeared in all four Jets preseason games, and his playing time grew steadily each game. He recorded at least one tackle in every game. He finished the preseason with five tackles, including two for a loss.

Aumavae was trying to become the 11th Alaskan to make a regular-season NFL roster, and the first Valley product to play in the league during the regular season. Former Colony High School standout Cole Magner, a 2001 graduate, was signed by the Atlanta Falcons twice, and spent training camp with the Falcons in 2005 and 2006. Magner was also a member of the Baltimore Ravens practice squad for a brief time in 2005.

Aumavae is now eligible to be signed by other teams or added to the practice squad of the Jets or another franchise.

There are currently four Alaska products playing in the NFL — Arizona Cardinals lineman Daryn Colledge (North Pole), Denver Broncos lineman Chris Kuper (Dimond) and Chicago Bears defensive back Zack Bowman (Bartlett).

Aumavae was a Division II standout at Western Washington and Minnesota State-Mankato. He’s also played professional indoor football with the Fairbanks Grizzlies and Green Bay Blizzard.

Aumavae’s time with the Jets marked his second stint in the NFL. He spent a portion of the offseason with the Dallas Cowboys in 2010, but did not appear in a preseason game.

Aumavae is a former Alaska Lineman of the Year. He was named first-team all-state on offense and defense as a junior and senior.