Claude Pelon reportedly signs with Jets as undrafted free agent

USC defensive lineman Claude Pelon signed with the New York Jets after he went unpicked in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Claude Pelon is a Jet. Reportedly.

The New York Jets signed Pelon as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2016 NFL Draft, according to Charlie Bernstein of Football Insiders.

In New York Pelon will join former USC All-American Leonard Williams on the Jets’ defensive front as well as safety Dion Bailey.

Pelon transferred to USC out of Mesa Community College in 2014.

Though he started just three times that season, Pelon was a regular member of USC’s defensive line rotation, sharing time with Delvon Simmons at defensive tackle. In 13 games he had 19 tackles with six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also had two deflections and a blocked field goal.

Pelon’s role was expected to increase in 2015 but he still found himself blocked out of a starting role. Instead he saw his production as a much-used back up once more. Though he missed three games with a sprained knee, Pelon had 26 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

In all, Pelon had 45 career tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks with five career starts.

Despite Pelon’s size at 6-foot-4, 300 pounds he was not invited to the NFL Combine and garnered little attention heading into the NFL draft weekend.

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Kevon Seymour became USC’s first and only pick of Day 3 on Saturday when the Buffalo Bills picked him in the sixth round.

On Friday, Su’a Cravens was picked by the Washington Redskins in the second round while Max Tuerk went to the San Diego Chargers and Cody Kessler was unexpectedly selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round.

All told, the Trojans had four draft picks in 2016, bringing USC’s total to 496 all-time.