Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold has gotten a lot of praise recently, including acting owner Christopher Johnson saying Tuesday that the Jets drafting Darnold will eventually be seen as a turning point in the team's path to greatness.

But the Jets' veteran left tackle, Kelvin Beachum, isn't ready to heap praise on Darnold just yet.

Beachum, who turns 29 next month and is entering Year 2 with the Jets, hasn't even met Darnold. And while Beachum has heard positive feedback from others in the organization, he is maintaining some healthy skepticism about Darnold -- for good reason.

"I've heard that he is a great person," Beachum said Tuesday. "I'm excited to get him in that room."

But?

"Man, I'm one of those guys: Until you get hit in the mouth, I don't know what you've got yet," Beachum said. "And he ain't been hit in the mouth by an NFL defensive lineman. So when that time comes, we'll see."

This is a completely reasonable opinion. Nobody knows if Darnold will indeed become the Jets' long-sought franchise quarterback. Coming out of USC, he wasn't considered a sure-thing prospect, along the lines of Andrew Luck, when he entered the NFL in 2012.

Beachum spoke Tuesday in Manhattan at the annual Gridiron Gala charity event, which benefits the United Way of New York City. Beachum was honored at the event -- along with Giants defensive lineman Damon Harrison (an ex-Jet) -- for his work in the community.

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.