Jets in rush to visit Darren McFadden

With less than six weeks until the NFL draft, the Jets have dispatched coaches and scouts to college campuses across the country to interview and test the top prospects. On Tuesday, running backs coach Jimmy Raye arrived at the University of Arkansas to huddle with Darren McFadden, whom many believe could be the Jets' choice with the sixth pick of the draft.

The Jets were the first team to have private time on campus with McFadden, according to the All-America running back. Raye and McFadden had lunch, but they spent most of their time in the classroom, along with two other Arkansas running backs. The Jets know McFadden can devour a defense - see 4,590 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns in three seasons - but they want to find out if he can digest a complex pro offense.

"It was something new, having to sit down and take a bunch of notes," Darren McFadden told the Daily News Wednesday. "He was teaching pass protection. In college, we had only three or four (pass-protection schemes). I think he covered five or six. Then he had a little test that he made up."

This wasn't McFadden's first interaction with Jets personnel. At last month's scouting combine in Indianapolis, where he became one of the big stories by scorching the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds, McFadden was interviewed by a Jets contingent that included Eric Mangini.

That, too, was a technical conversation, as Mangini & Co. broke down tape with McFadden. The Jets also will be represented Tuesday at Arkansas, where McFadden and other Razorback draft hopefuls will perform for pro scouts.

McFadden said he doesn't know much about the Jets or their running-back situation, but he'd relish the opportunity to play in a big market such as New York.

"It would be great," said McFadden, who has visited New York only twice - the last two Heisman Trophy ceremonies. (He was the runner-up both times.) "Being in a big city, it would be a new lifestyle. I'd have to adapt. It would be a lot different than living in the South."

Barring trades at the top of the draft, McFadden is expected to be picked anywhere from fourth (Raiders) to sixth (Jets). The Jets have a legitimate No.1 back in Thomas Jones, but they sorely need a player with McFadden's playmaking ability. They're also focusing on the top two outside pass rushers, Chris Long (Virginia) and Vernon Gholston (Ohio State).

McFadden believes he can make an Adrian Peterson-like impact as a rookie.

"I feel like I belong in the NFL, and I can play with those guys," he said. "I'm going to go in there and play like I belong."

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