Jelani Jenkins...if he reaches his potential..watch out.

Dude became my favorite player last season. He is sharp as a tack and just makes plays. He's the kind of player that will be a leader someday soon.

"This is a kid who's whistling in the morning when it's time to go to school," Maurice Jenkins said. "On National Signing Day, he said, 'Dad, how long is this going to be? I don't want to miss any of my classes.' I said, 'It's OK, this is your day. You'll be all right.'"

just will post some quotes.

His speed is game-ready - he ran the 40-yard dash in just over 4.4 seconds - but Jenkins will have to pack on some weight before he can play linebacker in the Southeastern Conference.

coming into florida U

Jenkins attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland, where he was a two-sport athlete in football and track. As a junior, he played fullback and linebacker. He rushed for 1129 yards and 42 touchdowns at running back and had 60 tackles, four quarterback sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and recovered two fumbles at linebacker.[1] As a senior Jenkins rushed for 22 touchdowns and made 70 tackles.[1] He was the first player in the 71-year history of the District's Pigskin Club to earn both Defensive Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.[1] He was recognized as a Parade magazine high school All-American in 2008, and was chosen to play in the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game.

Also a standout in track & field, Jenkins competed as a sprinter during his junior and senior seasons. He placed 6th in the 100-meter dash at the 2009 Crimson Tide Invitational, recording a personal-best time of 11.14 seconds.[2] He also competed in the shot put (top-throw of 46ft or 14.07m),[3] and recorded a 4.4-second 40-yard dash.

5 star recruit.

rivals had him as the #2 rated linebacker in the country.

I like Jenkins a lot. I would love to add Eric Kendricks, who is one of my favorite players in this draft (I like Perryman too, but a little less), to play the middle and have DJordan and McCain fight it out on the other side. That would give us a very athletic linebacking corps that can run, cover, blitz and defend the run.

"I put my heart into my game," says Jenkins, who is rated the nation's No. 9 recruit in the ESPNU 150, No. 1 in the Greater D.C. area. "I never want to let my teammates down."

Jenkins thrives as a linebacker thanks to his high football IQ, which allows him to read and react to plays as they happen. And with a 40-yard dash time of 4.4 seconds and a penchant for delivering monster hits, opponents watching him on film must get more freaked out than they do viewing a "Saw" flick.

What's even more remarkable is that Jenkins doesn't turn 17 until March, making him significantly younger than most of his peers in the Class of 2009.

this hype was coming while he was 16 years old... 16!!!he entered college at 17, thats why he's still only 22..

He attacks the classroom with the same ferocity he brings to the gridiron, which helped him accumulate a 3.9 GPA and receive the football team's Academic Scholar Award last year.

He also lends a hand to those in need, volunteering at a soup kitchen and helping out at an elderly art festival. "It felt good to give back," he says. Add in football practice and weightlifting, and it's a wonder Jenkins gets any sleep.

maybe we should be seeing a lot more jenkins jerseys in the stands..

Jenkins: I see myself in the NFL as an All-Pro. I see myself making a significant impact. I'll be grown, mature and able to handle all the challenges that will be thrown my way at that point.

was asked where he sees himself in five years.

the dude doesn't even have his man body yet..

6'1..245..4.5 speed..xplosive..smart..disciplined..good character.....22 years old..

deej in full blown boner mode right now. In mid February!

"Rocky Raccoon wrote:

deej in full blown boner mode right now. In mid February!

I love me some 5 star recruits who are smart enough to unleash their athleticism at the pro level..this dude was a 1500 yard running back in high school, and became the #2 linebacker in the country at the same time..

was so calculated his rookie year, in the last half i was always talking about how he was just always in the right place, he wasn't making splash plays, but you could tell he was just concerned with doing his job, then last year he started to know where he's supposed to be and started to unleash that speed and power..

I think the biggest thing with Jelani Jenkins is they need to make sure he's protected by the defensive line. He's not the same guy when he's getting blocked, and that's OK, but when it broke down last year it was a big issue.

With Kevin Coyle, that probably means getting a space-eater.

Jelani Jenkins does not run a 4.4. He runs a 4.65. But he was a good player during the first half of the year. Have to make sure he is able to continue to play that way. I'm not positive it's about keeping blockers off him. I think it could very well have to do with how Miami uses its safeties.

I'm looking forward to seeing him get stronger and smarter as a player. He still has several very good years left and I think he can become a top level LB.

Only LB on the team thats worth anything at this current moment in time... I miss Zach Thomas..

"ckparrothead wrote:

Jelani Jenkins does not run a 4.4. He runs a 4.65. But he was a good player during the first half of the year. Have to make sure he is able to continue to play that way. I'm not positive it's about keeping blockers off him. I think it could very well have to do with how Miami uses its safeties.

most of the quotes are from high school where he posted a 4.45

Deej, where do you think he's best at, mike, Sam, will?

"Rocky Raccoon wrote:

deej in full blown boner mode right now. In mid February!

DJ just grabs it with both hands and beats it against his forehead.

"Piston Honda wrote:

Deej, where do you think he's best at, mike, Sam, will?

its a question I've been thinking about all offseason because I just want to be able to get our best players on the field, so when thinking about what position he's best suited as I must think about what position the other guy is best suited for and thats dion jordan, I think dion would be best served as the mike checking that tight end and flat and just let Jelani play the will..I don't want him playing the mike cause I don't want that pretty athleticism go to waste, get someone in there that can knock heads for that, but let this kid run around and make plays and I think at ''will'' it gives him the best chance to do that..

I also think we might be best served playing more 34 if Mccain is the real deal.

"MrClean wrote:

DJ just grabs it with both hands and beats it against his forehead.

could you imagine?

"djphinfan wrote:

its a question I've been thinking about all offseason because I just want to be able to get our best players on the field, so when thinking about what position he's best suited as I must think about what position the other guy is best suited for and thats dion jordan, I think dion would be best served as the mike checking that tight end and flat and just let Jelani play the will..I don't want him playing the mike cause I don't want that pretty athleticism go to waste, get someone in there that can knock heads for that, but let this kid run around and make plays and I think at ''will'' it gives him the best chance to do that..

I also think we might be best served playing more 34 if Mccain is the real deal.

Agreed. I think he's best suited weak side but so are Ellerbe, Wheeler, Jordan. Who plays Sam and Mike? Hickey needs to be on his job big time to fix the LB unit.

"Piston Honda wrote:

Agreed. I think he's best suited weak side but so are Ellerbe, Wheeler, Jordan. Who plays Sam and Mike? Hickey needs to be on his job big time to fix the LB unit.

wheeler and ellerbe aren't beating jenkins out, and both may not be on the team, wheeler maybe, dion can play the sam, just get his weight down and let him read that tight end..I guess its Misi back in the middle.

"Piston Honda wrote:

Agreed. I think he's best suited weak side but so are Ellerbe, Wheeler, Jordan. Who plays Sam and Mike? Hickey needs to be on his job big time to fix the LB unit.

Jordan is best suited for Sam. Period. End of discussion.