Auburn loves Jenkins

By Robert Rousseau  |   Monday, June 09, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Auburn Tigers
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What do Jonathan Evans, Eltoro Freeman and Harris Gaston have in common? First, they’re all 2009 high school football prospects. Second, they all play linebacker. Last, they’ve all verbally committed to play for the Auburn Tigers next season in what is shaping up to be a stellar recruiting class for Tommy Tuberville and the gang.

You might think that with all of these linebackers already verbally committed, it might be hard to get another 2009 LB to give the Tigers the nod. But the Tigers, knowing how much a defense needs athletes, aren’t stopping here. In fact, they’ve got one of the best in the country still in their sights.

That's Jelani Jenkins, a 6-foot, 203-pound OLB from Our Lady of Good Counsel in Wheaton, Md. Jenkins, a five-star prospect with 4.45 speed, put up 60 total tackles, four sacks, and an interception to accompany 700 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns last season in high school.

In other words, he’s been productive. Moreover, he’s highly intelligent; his 4.0 grade-point average attests to that.

Thus, it’s no surprise that Rivals currently considers Jenkins the best 2009 outside linebacker prospect in the country. He’s also the 10th-ranked prospect in the nation.

He seems to be the real deal.

Right now, the list of potential suitors for Jenkins’ services is enormous and includes Florida and Tennessee from the SEC. That said, the Auburn defense has been very good over the years, and that has to be alluring to potential prospects. Beyond that, Auburn’s coaches have historically given their guys playing time when they showed they could produce (Antonio Coleman) even when there were other strong performers at their position (Quentin Groves).

So don’t be surprised if Jenkins ends up a Tiger. An Auburn Tiger, that is.
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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or ...
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