'09 MD LB Jelani Jenkins (Florida Signee)

[RB07OSU]

Outside linebacker
Wheaton (MD) Our Lady Of Good Counsel
Ht: 6-foot-0
Wt: 203 lbs
Forty: 4.45 secs
Vertical: 31 inches
Shuttle: 4.58 secs
GPA: 4.0
Class: 2009 (High School)

Rivals Profile

Film 1
Film 2
Film 3
Film 4

Lists high interest in Florida and Virginia early on. Also listing Boston College, North Carolina, Maryland, NC State, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, Stanford, and Tennessee. Had 700 yards rushing with 12 TD's and 60 tackles his sophmore year. Was listed on the Rivals 100 for '09 at #95, though after watching his film, I say he is much higher. He is extremely fast for a LB and hits like a truck. He reads plays well and shoots the gap very well. Great off the edge and he also is a smart player...he does a good job of not outrunning plays. He does a great job of making the big hit when he can but he also breaks his feet down well and makes a solid tackle. He is also a good RB where he shows breakaway speed and good power. I know we have Klein and Whiting but I would love to see us offer Jenkins. I would say he is closer to an ATH because he can play SS, Will, or even RB on offense. He is just an athlete you don't pass on if you can get him.

[wadc45]

'09 MD LB Jelani Jenkins - Recruiting Forums

[wadc45]

Rivals $

1/29

From the OSU site...hearing from the likes of Boston College, Virginia, Maryland, Nebraska, Tennessee, Ohio State, Syracuse, Florida and Penn State and says he grew up a fan of the Gators.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

2/12

From the UVA site...talks about his interest in UVA, where his sister just graduated from, and the players he knows there. Has offers from the likes of Virginia, Stanford, Maryland, Boston College, North Carolina, Tennessee, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Penn State, NC State and Rutgers.

FYI, this sounds like a great kid...really respectful and one that seems to have a great head on this shoulder...

[wadc45]

Rivals $

2/11

From O&B News...Illinois has offered and says he is still learning about the Illini. Going to PSU on 3/1 for their junior day.

[BGriffBuckeye]

Rivals$

2/25

Jelani is up to 17 offers now, with the most recent coming from Miami(FL). Says everybody is equal and he is just taking them in as they come, will research the schools and isn't really paying attention to recruiting right now.

My take... Jelani is 6'1" 205 and has 4.45 speed. he would look great next to Wood as the safties in this class. Impressive video, really seems to wrap up and hit the ball-carrier. Besides, we could use another stud Jenkins in the secondary as well... since Malcolm won't be with us after this coming year.

[jwinslow]

SEC greatness has been split off here... back to Jenkins.

[Mrknowitall]

Jelani Is the number 2 wlb on scout.com. We didn't post this kids name on the 2009 scout top 300. Hope we are still tryin to recruit this kid.

[wadc45]

I don't see Jenkins being a part of this class...

[BGriffBuckeye]

Originally Posted by wadc45

I don't see Jenkins being a part of this class...

Still think that way... ?

Rivals $

3/7/08

Southern Cal and OHIO STATE have offered Jelani. Visited Penn State this past weekend.

[bobcat84]

Here's hoping Flash opens some doors in Maryland. With PSU and the Terps being on the downside.....

[wadc45]

It wasn't a lack of an offer that I thought would stop him from being a Buckeye...I just think he is an extreme longshot. I hope I'm wrong...

[ePkOoTms]

Originally Posted by bobcat84

Here's hoping Flash opens some doors in Maryland. With PSU and the Terps being on the downside.....

States like DE, NY, PA [OBVIOUSLY], NJ, MD, VA will always have an affinity towards the Nittany Lions, thus Penn State will likely always be a factor in such states even if focusing on such regions hurts us in TX, CA, etc. You would be quite surprised just how many Penn State fans there are in areas such as these, and just how many young kids grew up/grow up idolizing Penn State and watch all the games rather than watch crap like Rutgers, Virginia, Pitt (heh), etc. Jelani Jenkins is likely a long shot for Penn State, but I could definitely see him shocking a lot of people and not going where everyone expects him too [ie Florida] - not that it would be Penn State.

Even a Penn State team with off the field issues, and two sub-par 9-4 seasons back-to-back has more pull in some regions than the in-state school...even today.

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by ePkOoTms

States like DE, NY, PA [OBVIOUSLY], NJ, MD, VA will always have an affinity towards the Nittany Lions, thus Penn State will likely always be a factor in such states even if focusing on such regions hurts us in TX, CA, etc. You would be quite surprised just how many Penn State fans there are in areas such as these, and just how many young kids grew up/grow up idolizing Penn State and watch all the games rather than watch crap like Rutgers, Virginia, Pitt (heh), etc. Jelani Jenkins is likely a long shot for Penn State, but I could definitely see him shocking a lot of people and not going where everyone expects him too [ie Florida] - not that it would be Penn State.

Even a Penn State team with off the field issues, and two sub-par 9-4 seasons back-to-back has more pull in some regions than the in-state school...even today.

Then the PSU coaching staff is doing a horrible job because they've been whiffing on a lot of local prospects.

[ePkOoTms]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

Then the PSU coaching staff is doing a horrible job because they've been whiffing on a lot of local prospects.

Well there is uncertainty with regard to the head coaching position and what exactly the outcome is, which I am sure is being used against Penn State. And many of the prospects we have been "whiffing" on would be of the offensive variety! Not exactly shocking when you look back on these past two seasons for Penn State.

Even with all of that; we likely end up with Deion Walker [VA] if the staff [Joe] makes any effort at all.

We could have made a push for Bobbie Massie [VA] if he had any desire to work on academics.

We likely end up with Zach Kerr if we don't tell him his ass is on his way to prep school if he picks Penn State.

We likely end up with Kenny Tate if we don't tell him he is RS regardless of his showing as a freshman.

There are blunders every year, most because not everyone is on the same page and Joe wants to give everyone the once over [ie McCoy] or holds grudges [ie BGreen]. Even after BG chose USC because he bought what Carrol was selling, he came looking back to Penn State.

We'll see what happens this year with Jaleel Clark [PA - will be Penn State], Jack Lippert [PA - if offered Penn State], Brandon Scott [VA - no offer yet], DeOnte Arnett [MD], Sean Stanley [MD], Clark [VA], Tavon Austin [MD], Travis Hawkins [MD], Jordan Love [MD], Malcolm Willis [MD], Mike Privott [MD] and many others. You'll notice almost everyone I listed is for the defensive side of the ball, with the exception of Clark, Scott, Austin. I am cautiously optimistic regardless of on-field results. I think we could probably get Mike Marrow from Ohio, unless tOSU offers but I doubt they will they have LBs locked up already for '09 as well as someone most would consider a FB prospect.

We'll be fine, especially on D. Even with D'Anton Lynn with offers from Oklahoma, USC, UF, Arkansas, and a ton of other schools. Ohio State showed interest in him, but when he committed to Penn State and Coach Norwood left they obviously didn't act like douche bags [RR comes to mind...Trotwood comes to mind, Shaw] and contact him or anything like that.

And this was a kid from Texas who had a USC offer yet he picked Penn State...Penn State's secondary played like garbage and lost Lynn's recruiter yet we kept him locked up. Penn State can stick with most when it comes to recruiting the defensive side of the ball, especially VA, MD, PA. I can almost guarantee there will be blunders this year as well. With a good year on offense in '08; Penn State will secure some regional talent - my only question is whether or not they can secure 2-3 OTs and 2 QBs.