'09 MD LB Jelani Jenkins (Florida Signee)

[MONTbigBuck]

A question to the Knowledgable-expert-film guru types here: How would you compare JJ as a lb-safety hybrid to Denicos Allen; a similar player on paper but with maybe less speed?

[Mrknowitall]

I am a huge fan of denicos allen, I don't know why he isn't getting any spotlight he is a stud and will make a amazing outside linebacker in college. He is already 210 right now at 6+

[wadc45]

Either way, go discuss it in the Denicos Allen thread...this thread is about Jelani Jenkins...

[wadc45]

Rivals $

3/10

From the VT site...wants to go where there are strong academics and athletics. Visiting Miami (FL) in two weeks and wants to see Virginia, Penn State, Maryland, California, UCLA and USC this summer.

[ThaKid101]

If you haven't seen his youtube videos do yourself a favor and do so...best LB film I have seen in only a few short clips. He also has some great FB clips on there as well. Only LB that I've seen hit harder on film is Tray Blackmon. Word is Illinois will be in the mix with Locks' connections but I don't know how much...I do know Jenkins is an animal though...he can be a great FB maybe even RB, a great SS, or a great LB. That speed is ridiculous for somebody who is supposed to project to LB in college. He hawked down Dematha 2008 CB/WR Rodney McLeod (2008 OSU and UI target Kenny Tate's teammate) who was a Illini target but went with UVA...what impressed me most though is his hitting ability. Heads snap back quickly when he hits...

Here's the video for those who haven't seen it:

YouTube - Jelani Jenkins High School Football...

[ryan20]

I'm real impressed, he FLIES around the field and comes up and pounds people.

[Holy Buckeye!]

Just watched the Video! Holy Heck! I'm sold!



HB

[MUBuck]

As good as he looks on offense, it would be a crime not to put him on D. How fast did he look running down that receiver from behind? Wow. Obviously loves to hit as well. Looks like he could play SS or OLB in college.

[osubuckeyes2731]

I'd definitely put him at linebacker. He would/does terrorize an offense.

[BuckTwenty]

He looks like a linebacker all the way to me. Pass rushing specialist. I'd like to see him more in coverage, because the video shows he's got pretty good hands. If he's as good in coverage as he is on the blitz, he's an all-american head hunting LB or S with that tackling ability and speed.

Then again, that's getting ahead of myself. I'd like to see him in camp and see some more film of him on D. Nice offer, regardless of position though. The kid can play.

[jazzman]

Originally Posted by Holy Buckeye!

Just watched the Video! Holy Heck! I'm sold!
HB

Jelani looks very impressive and it is worth taking a shot at him with the offer and everything.

However, don't get your hopes up. This kid is gonna be difficult to bring to C-bus, or keep away from Gainesville for that matter when all is said and done. He doesn't have a scholarship offer that we know of from UF, but expect one to come shortly....he's grown up a Gator fan.

[osugrad21]

BN $

Jelani has offers from Penn State, Boston College, Stanford, Virginia, Maryland, Syracuse, Rutgers, Tennessee, North Carolina State, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Oregon, Illinois, Pitt, North Carolina, Miami, West Virginia, Ohio State, Duke, Michigan, Minnesota and USC. He will take some unofficial visits and then narrow it down to five official visits.

[LightningRod]

Washington Post video interviews. He is a very well spoken young man.

[aurorabuckeye13]

I just watched the video and I agree with everyone else... LB all the way in college. The thing that immeditely jumped out at me from the first few plays was his closing speed. He just flies to the ball and looks to kill people. However, I think he would get even more power on his hits if he rolled his hips into his tackles. It was hard to tell from just the first two highlights, but he didn't roll his hips into the hit and he probably won't be able to get away with that at the next level.

[wadc45]

ESPN - Jenkins hits opposing running backs and books relentlessly - Insider

Jelani Jenkins, 6-foot-1, 210 pounds
ESPN 150 Watch List linebacker
Good Counsel (Wheaton, Md.)

It's impressive enough when an athlete garners Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a high school junior. It's even more extraordinary, however, when the recipient complements his outstanding gridiron skills with exceptional work in the classroom.

ESPN 150 Watch List outside linebacker Jelani Jenkins (Wheaton, Md./Good Counsel) may have boasted 1,014 total yards as a running back and seven tackles per game as a hard hitting defender, but it is his distinguished 3.9 GPA as a national scholar-athlete at Good Counsel High School in Maryland that is perhaps most remarkable.

"I really take academics just as serious as football," Jenkins stated adamantly.

Continued...