Georgia JUCO target John Jenkins de-commits to Okla. St.
The whirlwind recruitment of junior college star John Jenkins just got a new boost of momentum.
John Jenkins
Jenkins, a 6-foot-4, 340-pound nose guard from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, officially de-committed from Oklahoma State this week. Not that he’d been very committed before that. Georgia has been in hot pursuit of the hole-plugging nose guard for months. The Bulldogs made in-home visits both last month and this one and will host Jenkins on an official visit Jan. 21.
Meanwhile, Auburn, Florida and Miami have also been in contact with Jenkins and have made him a recruiting priority.
So it wasn’t much of a surprise when Jenkins backed off an October commitment to Oklahoma State when the Cowboys came to visit him in Connecticut recently.
“They said they felt like I wasn’t committed to them anymore; that’s the way the conversation started,” Jenkins said of Oklahoma State. “It ended up with me saying I had to do what I had to do and I’d let them know.”
The Cowboys aren’t likely waiting by the phone. They recently got a commitment from another junior college nose guard, Maurice Hayes (6-4, 325) of Bakersfield, Calif. Meanwhile, Jenkins will be taking officials visits to Miami (this weekend) and Florida (Jan. 28) in addition to Georgia.
Jenkins calls Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Miami his top four. He insists there is no leader at this point, but he speaks very highly of the Bulldogs.
“I do my homework,” he said.” I know from that and from recruiting visits they need help in the middle. I want to be that missing link they’re looking for. That definitely helps them.”
The past weekend Jenkins hosted head coach Mark Richt, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and defensive line coach Rodney Garner in his Meriden, Conn., home.
“It was a great visit,” said Jenkins, who was back in Gulfport, Miss., Tuesday. “It was the second time they’ve been up there but the first time with Coach Richt.
Jenkins said he is no longer considering Ole Miss or Mississippi State. Florida is the newest player in the Jenkins’ sweepstakes.
“I just decided that this week,” Jenkins said. “I want to finish up my visits, talk it over with my family and then hopefully I’ll be ready to make a decision.”
College Recruiting By Chip Towers
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150 comments Add your comment
K Conley
January 11th, 2011
3:42 pm
It looks like we could be in good shape here. (Knock On Wood). Knock, Knock, Knock,……..
Anteater
January 11th, 2011
3:43 pm
Chip – any idea on odds of Dawgs landing JJ ? Enjoy your column !
Hyder Boyz'
January 11th, 2011
3:45 pm
first.
Hyder Boyz'
January 11th, 2011
3:46 pm
Does anyone know if Muschamp going to hire a def coordinator or will he take on that role as well?
GoCoach Mark!
January 11th, 2011
3:55 pm
Richt and Fox! He is indeed the missing link! http://www.upglad.com
That Guy!
January 11th, 2011
3:56 pm
“Chip I go this one”….Anteater – I am not real good at math but since he is down to Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Miami I would say the odds UGA gets this kid would be about 25%.
RRTDawgs
January 11th, 2011
4:04 pm
The next couple of weeks could be interesting with Rome very close and Jenkinks stay tuned .
bdawg
January 11th, 2011
4:05 pm
the suspense is killing me!
Davey Boy Smith
January 11th, 2011
4:05 pm
Isn’t Maurice Hayes a little old to still be playing college ball?
I think he played at Pepperell several years ago.
Preston
January 11th, 2011
4:07 pm
I’m feeling pretty good about our chances of landing Jenkins now. AU, UF, and Miami weren’t interested until we went after him. If UGA lands him and goes out and gets Crowell and a few more of the guys they’re after, Richt and Co. might be well on their way to getting this thing turned around after all. I truly hope it works out for all of them.
Andy
January 11th, 2011
4:07 pm
So he de-commits two days after UGA visits him? Sounds like good news to me.
Preston
January 11th, 2011
4:09 pm
Chip, thanks as always for your constant updates for us football junkies.
Douglas Dawg
January 11th, 2011
4:10 pm
I saw where Muschamp is looking for a DC. The hitman didn’t work out to good for us last year as a jc transfer but we really need to plug the middle. We have the last shot at JJ on officials so maybe we land him. This is almost a must pickup for CMR.
E-tron
January 11th, 2011
4:10 pm
That is truly the missing infgrediant on the Georgia Pizza…. He is pepporoni.
Stanfield
January 11th, 2011
4:10 pm
JJ could very well be the most valuable recruit to come to Athens next year! We definitely need his help up the middle. JJ come to a place where you can start and provide an immediate impact. Athens is a great town and your talents will not go unnoticed. Go DAWGS!
Good golly
January 11th, 2011
4:11 pm
I think that the UGA pitch would be the most appealing since we’re basically the only team that runs the 3-4 out of this group right? So he’ll be much more a unique fit and a necessity in our system. Hopefully we’re conveying his importance to our program over the next 1-2 years…either that or Richt could say, “listen, if you don’t come, i’ll probably lose my job”
Huntsville Dog
January 11th, 2011
4:12 pm
He is the key to next season more so than any other possible new player imo. The whole DL would be better with him in the middle and Tyson, Jones, Lott, etc… at the DE. Geathers and Bean getting back up time is much better than them starting.
True DAWG fan
January 11th, 2011
4:15 pm
No Florida has the last visit we have him in Jan 21 Florida Jan 28…Just letting you know Douglas Dawg,but still feel good about our chances!!!
Douglas Dawg
January 11th, 2011
4:19 pm
After watching Nick Fairley take over that game last night JJ could change our entire defense. I stand corrected True Dawg.
RRTDawgs
January 11th, 2011
4:19 pm
Some good news on weather it going to be mid 40’s on Sat then in low 50’s on Sunday i can’t wait to get rid of the snow .
BjohnDawg
January 11th, 2011
4:19 pm
JJ…Need him, need him, need him. The middle of that 3-4..Oh did I mention that we need him.
He walks into the first team meeting, punches someone in the face and says ” I am your starting NG. Now let’s go get a GD snack.”
suwaneedawg
January 11th, 2011
4:24 pm
He would plug the hole you have to plug in the 3-4. It is a must!
GirdersRBending
January 11th, 2011
4:28 pm
Things are shaping up nicely! This would be a key pickup for the Dawgs. If the D continues to improve (and quite frankly, they were the only bright spot of the bowl game) and can land JJ, we’ll be just fine next year.
RRTDawgs
January 11th, 2011
4:30 pm
Hey Chip will Mitchell still visit UGA after Bama with Rome and Crowell do you have any info .
gadawgs
January 11th, 2011
4:30 pm
Come to Athens John and make a difference. We want and need you here!!! Go Dawgs!!
Destin Dawg
January 11th, 2011
4:31 pm
Parade magazine says ” UGA #3 large State University education.. plus big time sports ” in beautiful college town Athens…JJ, be a Bull Dawg….. you’ll play right away and be a home state hero… good luck either way… Go Dawgs !!!
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January 11th, 2011
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James
January 11th, 2011
4:38 pm
UGA is in trouble if they don’t get this guy. If you can’t stop the run, you have no chance at winning the SEC. UGA’s run defense was anemic this year.
dcbl
January 11th, 2011
4:41 pm
Since this is such a big need, why had we not heard of this guy’s replacement at OK State out of CA?? Just curious… Also – what is UGA’s backup plan?
Hope he comes to Athens.
James
January 11th, 2011
4:44 pm
Back up plan is Geathers or Justin Anderson. He’s the only big JUCO NT with experience avaliable.
goldwreck
January 11th, 2011
4:50 pm
I think Florida announced a defensive coach with the Seahawks will be the DC once their season is over.I forget his name.He’s coached with WM
before.
Chase
January 11th, 2011
5:01 pm
First thing I do when I get on my computer every day, check your column, thank you Chip!
Bitter vince dooly
January 11th, 2011
5:04 pm
Enter your comments here
DAWG3B
January 11th, 2011
5:06 pm
Things are getting interesting in the home stretch. Thanks for the info Chip. What a great class this would be if we could land these last few needed recruits. Lets start turning this thing around
Bitter vince dooly
January 11th, 2011
5:07 pm
we have already big huge DT, stop worring about this guy, if he signs fine
if not, “O” well, we are the dawgs, we dont boul to no recruit
we have to much to offer
Frank
January 11th, 2011
5:07 pm
JJ needs to listen to what he has learned doing his homework. The Dawgs need him and it would be in his best interests to become a Dawg.
THWGT!!!!!!
Chase
January 11th, 2011
5:13 pm
Anyone know anything on Dexter Moody?
Skitty Fritty
January 11th, 2011
5:14 pm
I wonder how much money Auburn is offering him?
BostonDawg
January 11th, 2011
5:19 pm
Stop counting those chickens. I’ve been let down too many times over the last few years.
The Old Ball Coach
January 11th, 2011
5:19 pm
Nothing that $200k won’t bring home to UGA! Just ask Cam….
jay z
January 11th, 2011
5:22 pm
He will wind up in orange and blue. Did I hear Ga D coordinator could end up at Dallas?
DawginOH
January 11th, 2011
5:23 pm
Jenkins definitely sounds like a game changer to me, not to mention a PERFECT fit in CTG’s 3-4. Here’s to hoping he’s a Dawg soon! Chip, any news on the time line for his decision?
die hard dawg
January 11th, 2011
5:29 pm
DawginOH,
Im pretty sure he has to choose somewhere by Jan 15th if he wants to enroll in spring semester.
Otherwise he could wait until signing day to enroll next year at uga. I am really hoping we can pull this guy in. Our defense will definitely be improved from last year. We are getting used to the system and we have filled the defense up with some good recruits. We have committed several defensive backs and linebackers. Also, we have Samuels and Jones playing inside linebacker next year so landing Jenkins would be key.
GO DAWGS
Pay to play & get a national championship
January 11th, 2011
5:30 pm
Maybe our coaches are finally realizing that these top players around the country whether junior college kids or not want money for their talent. We saw Auburn win a national championship after a very mediocre year and then went undefeated with a few paid players. I would be willing to bet that Fairly was paid along with a few others. Also Bama bringing their program back from the dead took some pay for play too I’m sure. Break out the checkbooks Richt and Co because it’s going to take a lot more than a damn nutritionist to bring us a championship and you guys are out the door if we aren’t playing in Atlanta three times this year and winning all three. (And I don’t mean the Chick-fil-A bowl!)
Carlton
January 11th, 2011
5:33 pm
Sounds like a smart kid who does his homework regularly. But I’ll give you this JJ, if you go to UF, you won’t be used in the proper way. They will lay a 4-3 under Muschamp primarily and as effective as a noseguard is in a 4-3, your size and ability would be better suited to be the primary and only interior lineman on the defense as in the 3-4. Whatever your decision, good luck at the next level!
Carlton
January 11th, 2011
5:33 pm
I meant *play a 4-3 under Muschamp
dawggone
January 11th, 2011
5:34 pm
looks like were on pace to get another NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RECRUITING CLASS. Lets see, that makes how many in a row now to go with how many championships. Get a life puppies, your the 4th or 5th best team in the sec, always have been and always will, just check your records. GO JACKETS
Pay to play & get a national championship
January 11th, 2011
5:37 pm
Dawg Gone go check your records against us you geek!
die hard dawg
January 11th, 2011
5:40 pm
dawggone,
You are correct we haven’t played to hot in the last two years but we can still beat yall every year and attract better players. I would rather be the 4th or 5th best team in the SEC than the 6th best team in the ACC which is not as solid a conference.
Beast from the East
January 11th, 2011
5:40 pm
Didn’t even know UF was interested. Muschamp needs to make a huge last minute push.
Go Gators!