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Jelani Jenkins | Linebacker

Team: Florida Gators
Age / DOB:  (21) / 5/13/1992
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 230

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Recent News

Dolphins selected Florida LB Jelani Jenkins with the No. 104 overall pick.
Jenkins (6-0, 243) made 31 starts for UF, tallying 16.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, three picks and one forced fumble. Jenkins played weak-side 'backer in Florida's 4-3, excelling in coverage. Unfortunately, Jenkins fractured his right foot in the 2012 regular season finale, and probably wasn't 100 percent when he ran 4.78 at the Gators' March Pro Day. Assuming Jenkins is healthy by camp, he could put himself in the mix in the Dolphins' nickel defense. Apr 27 - 12:31 PM

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Date:
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida LB Jelani Jenkins ran in the 4.65 to 4.69 range at his pro day.

Jenkins measured in at 6'0 5/8", 237 pounds and was reportedly athletic throughout the workout. He has battled injuries in the past year but offers talent as a sub-package defender early on. He had foot surgery in December and is now being viewed as a possible third day selection.
Source: Senior Bowl on Twitter
Mar 12 - 4:27 PM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida DC D.J. Durkin raved about former Gator LB Jelani Jenkins' smarts and speed.

Jenkins suffered form an injury riddled 2012 campaign but can immediately help an NFL team due to his skills in coverage. He might only be a sub package player early in his career, but expect Jenkins to be drafted on the third day.
Source: Michael DiRocco on Twitter
Mar 12 - 1:36 PM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida announced junior LB Jelani Jenkins has declared for April's NFL Draft.

Jenkins had a difficult season due to injuries, including surgeries on his right foot and right hand to go along with a tweaked hamstring. Todd McShay once called Jenkins the nation's best cover linebacker when healthy, but that was rare this year. Due to these medical concerns, we wouldn't be surprised if Jenkins lasts until the Draft's third day.
Source: CollegeFootballTalk on Twitter
Jan 7 - 1:39 PM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida junior LB Jelani Jenkins underwent surgery on his right foot and will miss the school's bowl game.

The surgery likely took place in order to speed up the healing process. Jenkins dealt with plenty of injuries in 2012, including thumb surgery and a tweaked hamstring. We doubt that he declares for April's draft, but Jenkins is an excellent linebacker in coverage.
Source: Michael DiRocco on Twitter
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 09:22:00 AM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida junior LB Jelani Jenkins will miss the team's bowl game with a broken bone in his right foot.

He underwent surgery on Monday to repair the injury. Jenkins has had an injury filled season, missing two games due to a broken right thumb and later dealt with a hamstring injury. Because of those issues, it may be surprising to see Jenkins declare for April's Draft, but the junior has plenty of NFL-type range.
Source: ESPN
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 02:22:00 PM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Scouts Inc.'s Todd McShay stated that when healthy, Florida redshirt junior LB Jelani Jenkins is the "best cover linebacker in college football today."

Jenkins has battled a hand injury which required surgery, and now he is playing with a cast. McShay goes on to cite the junior's "Great speed and instincts and anticipation in coverage." The Gators defense is loaded with talent, and we'd be surprised if they don't fair well against Georgia on Saturday.
Source: Palm Beach Post
Fri, Oct 26, 2012 12:38:00 PM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

After returning to the field for Saturday's game against LSU following surgery on his thumb, Florida junior LB Jelani Jenkins has missed time this week due to a tweaked hamstring.

Jenkins did miss time during the game due to the injury, but defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said the team is pushing hard to get him ready for Saturday against Vanderbilt. Against LSU, Jenkins officially registered zero tackles or any statistical mark. He is considered day-to-day at this time.
Source: Gainesville Sun
Thu, Oct 11, 2012 09:51:00 AM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

During his teleconference on Wednesday, Florida head coach stated that he expects junior ILB Jelani Jenkins to play Saturday against LSU.

"I feel comfortable he’ll be able to go," Muschamp said. Jenkins has missed an extended period of time after having a pin inserted, and since removed, in his thumb. This weekend's matchup has always been the target date for his return.
Source: Gator Country
Wed, Oct 3, 2012 02:11:00 PM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida LB Jelani Jenkins has not been cleared for contact, but head coach Will Muschamp is optimistic that the junior will be by Saturday.

Jenkins has missed a few weeks after having a pin inserted, and since removed, in his thumb. The timetable for the junior's return has always been Saturday's game against LSU, and we expect him to play in the pivotal game despite Muschamp stating that his status for the game is uncertain.
Source: Michael DiRocco on Twitter
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 01:13:00 PM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida head coach Will Muschamp remains "pretty optimistic" that junior starting LB Jelani Jenkins will play next week against LSU.

Jenkins will have the pin in his thumb removed Friday and since the Gators have a bye this week, the junior has remained on track to miss only a bit of playing time. He should immediately rejoin the starting lineup.
Source: Miami Herald
Thu, Sep 27, 2012 03:05:00 PM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida head coach Will Muschamp announced Wednesday that junior LB Jelani Jenkins will have the pin in his thumb removed on Friday.

Muschamp added that Jenkins could practice sooner than expected while wearing a cast. The initial target return was for the October 6 contest against LSU, the Gators' next game, and the junior appears on track for that contest.
Source: Michael DiRocco on Twitter
Wed, Sep 26, 2012 11:29:00 AM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida head coach Will Muschamp said that junior LB Jelani Jenkins is on track to return October 6 against LSU.

Jenkins missed most of the team's week two contest against Texas A&M and all of last week's matchup with Tennessee after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured thumb. "I want to say in eight days they’re going to pull the pin out of there and take another look at it," Muschamp said. "He’s going to start lifting and running [Wednesday] as far as getting back in the swing of things and getting his body right. We’ll be fine." After this week's game against Kentucky, the Gators have a bye to prepare for LSU.
Source: ESPN
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 04:38:00 PM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida junior LB Jelani Jenkins will miss around four weeks while recovering from a broken thumb.

Jenkins will be forced to undergo surgery after sustaining the injury during the team's first defense series against Texas A&M Saturday. Along with missing a bye week, Jenkins will likely be out for the Gators' games against Tennessee, Kentucky, and LSU.
Source: Tamp Bay Times
Tue, Sep 11, 2012 09:22:00 AM
Jelani Jenkins - LB - Gators

Florida junior LB Jelani Jenkins will miss the remainder of the game against Texas A&M, and cameras showed him standing along the sideline with his right arm in a sling.

Jenkins took a shot earlier in the game and exited to undergo x-rays in the locker room. The junior is a real NFL prospect, so hopefully he does not miss an extended amount of time.
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 04:38:00 PM