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Overview
One of 16 siblings, Jenkins has had to fight for everything he gets throughout his life -- and it shows with his competitive spirit on the field. The former high school quarterback and state track hurdles winner has started at least two games in each of his four active seasons. He started twice as a true freshman (27 tackles, one interception, three pass breakups), then all but one contest in 2013 (46 tackles, three INT, five PBU). Jenkins suffered a herniated disc while weightlifting before the 2014 season, leading him to have surgery and redshirt the year. He started seven games in his comeback junior season (52 tackles, 2.5 for loss, three INT, five PBU) and then earned third-team All-ACC recognition from league media for this 2016 efforts (76 tackles, 4.5 for loss, two INT, seven PBU).
Analysis
Strengths Looks like a Miami safety with good size, long arms and an aggressive field demeanor. Looks to punish pass catchers over the middle and running backs looking to finish their runs against him. Has size and physicality to handle run support in the box. Gets wide as a tackler and fires from his hips. Does a nice job of reading keys when stepping downhill to fill his run fits. Might be able to handle coverage against matchup tight ends. Play speed is adequate for what he will be asked to do. Can chase and challenge the deep throws. Played some receiver in high school and shows that timing in his high-point challenges. Has soft hands to take it away when he's in position.
Weaknesses Doesn't make enough plays on the ball. Instincts are average and route anticipation needs work. Likes to see ball released before making commitment to close. Inefficient movement from high safety. Plays it too safe and needs to squeeze routes and take more chances. Average athlete. Opens hips from his backpedal before he needs to declare. NFL post routes could be a lot for him to handle. Can be sluggish in man coverage transitions, giving up too much separation. Comes downhill hot and will fly into tackle attempts at poor angles that result in misses. Needs to run into and through ball carrier rather than leaping from distance.
Draft Projection Round 3-4
Sources Tell Us "He's not perfect, but come on. He's big, fast and strong. I mean, if you don't want that then I don't know what to say." -- NFC East Coast area scout
Bottom Line A commanding, aggressive presence on the back-end, Jenkins loves being part of "The U" and attempts to honor the history of the safety position at that school every time he steps on the field. His instincts and closing burst to the ball are just average and he will have to earn his way up the depth chart to get a shot as a two-deep safety with some box ability.
One of 16 siblings, Jenkins has had to fight for everything he gets throughout his life -- and it shows with his competitive spirit on the field. The former high school quarterback and state track hurdles winner has started at least two games in each of his four active seasons. He started twice as a true freshman (27 tackles, one interception, three pass breakups), then all but one contest in 2013 (46 tackles, three INT, five PBU). Jenkins suffered a herniated disc while weightlifting before the 2014 season, leading him to have surgery and redshirt the year. He started seven games in his comeback junior season (52 tackles, 2.5 for loss, three INT, five PBU) and then earned third-team All-ACC recognition from league media for this 2016 efforts (76 tackles, 4.5 for loss, two INT, seven PBU).
Analysis
Strengths Looks like a Miami safety with good size, long arms and an aggressive field demeanor. Looks to punish pass catchers over the middle and running backs looking to finish their runs against him. Has size and physicality to handle run support in the box. Gets wide as a tackler and fires from his hips. Does a nice job of reading keys when stepping downhill to fill his run fits. Might be able to handle coverage against matchup tight ends. Play speed is adequate for what he will be asked to do. Can chase and challenge the deep throws. Played some receiver in high school and shows that timing in his high-point challenges. Has soft hands to take it away when he's in position.
Weaknesses Doesn't make enough plays on the ball. Instincts are average and route anticipation needs work. Likes to see ball released before making commitment to close. Inefficient movement from high safety. Plays it too safe and needs to squeeze routes and take more chances. Average athlete. Opens hips from his backpedal before he needs to declare. NFL post routes could be a lot for him to handle. Can be sluggish in man coverage transitions, giving up too much separation. Comes downhill hot and will fly into tackle attempts at poor angles that result in misses. Needs to run into and through ball carrier rather than leaping from distance.
Draft Projection Round 3-4
Sources Tell Us "He's not perfect, but come on. He's big, fast and strong. I mean, if you don't want that then I don't know what to say." -- NFC East Coast area scout
Bottom Line A commanding, aggressive presence on the back-end, Jenkins loves being part of "The U" and attempts to honor the history of the safety position at that school every time he steps on the field. His instincts and closing burst to the ball are just average and he will have to earn his way up the depth chart to get a shot as a two-deep safety with some box ability.
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