Grantham: John Jenkins will ‘make immediate impact’ on defense … and might play a bit on offense
ATHENS — Todd Grantham might have been the happiest guy in Stegeman Coliseum for Saturday’s Georgia-Auburn basketball game.
The Georgia football team’s defensive coordinator found out for sure Saturday afternoon that he will have 6-foot-4, 340-pound junior-college star John Jenkins at nose guard next season.
“I think he’ll make an immediate impact,” Grantham said in an interview at halftime of the basketball game.
Grantham wasn’t surprised that Jenkins chose Georgia, but “you never really know until it’s official. We knew he liked us a lot. We knew he felt like this was home. We thought we [showed] him he was needed and how he could fit in.”
Jenkins, who starred the past two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, announced his decision to sign with Georgia at a news conference at his former high school in Connecticut. UGA confirmed that it has, indeed, received Jenkins’ signed letter of intent.
Grantham said the addition of Jenkins will allow the Bulldogs to move DeAngelo Tyson from nose to defensive end, his preferred position in the 3-4 defense.
“What it does is, [it] allows us to add a bigger man to the front,” Grantham said. “Because size does matter, and I think he’ll help fill a need for us.”
While the need is for a nose, Grantham didn’t rule out the possibility of Jenkins also getting a bit of action on . . . offense.
“There might be a play or two for him,” a grinning Grantham said. “If you look back, there have been some big guys that have lined up in the backfield before.”
On Jenkins’ reported desire to wear jersey No. 6, a still-grinning Grantham said: “If you’re gonna play in the backfield, you’ve gotta have an eligible number, right?”
On another topic, Grantham said Georgia “obviously could go a couple different ways” in filling the defensive coaching position vacated by the departure this week of inside linebackers coach Warren Belin to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.
“We’re basically in the process of looking at it right now,” Grantham said. “We’re going to hire the best person for Georgia and the best fit for Georgia.”
Although Belin coached inside linebackers, the job posting placed Friday on UGA’s employment website identifies the open position as a defensive-ends coach. That would seem to suggest a shuffling of defensive coaching responsibilities is at least being contemplated, but Grantham said: “I wouldn’t put any stock in that. We’re going to hire the best person for Georgia.”
– Tim Tucker, The UGA Blog
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159 comments Add your comment
Carlton
February 5th, 2011
10:58 pm
Hey Geaux-didn’t we beat y’all in 2008, 2005 and 2004? Sounds like our recruiting classes have been beating y’all the past few years. 3-1 since 2002. Get off our blog delirious..
Buzztime
February 5th, 2011
11:13 pm
Sounds to me like the Athens PD better get the double Handcuffs ready when this kid goes out. I put the over and under at Mid October before he gets pinched for driving without a license!!
Carlton
February 5th, 2011
11:16 pm
Really Buzztime? I hope that handle isn’t a reference to Georgia Tech. Lest I remind you of the 9-1 record UGA holds on GT in the past 10 years (and under Mark Richt!)
icedawg
February 5th, 2011
11:17 pm
Yeah, maybe if we drove the field and ended up short yardage near the goal line, instead of kicking we might hand off to da Beast!
S.E. Dawg
February 5th, 2011
11:39 pm
To all you Richt haters: How many of you would want your Georgia Bulldogs playing against his team if he were to go to another SEC school. I sure as heck wouldn’t and you wouldn’t either. Let it rest!! With some of the load taken off him by our new AD and some of the changes he has made, you’re about to see his finest moments. Even McGarity commented that he knew Coach Richt was burned out and I think he’s doing everything possible to help him get back on track. Coaches that have been associated with national championship teams, in his case OC and Southeastern Conference Championships twice as head coach just doesn’t forget how to coach. Be glad we have him.
Dream Continues
February 5th, 2011
11:40 pm
The dream team gets bigger! With all these superstars, UGA will own the SEC in 2 years—look for the Dawgs to easily win the SEC east in 2011 and the SEC in 2012—Dawgs play in the BCS title game, 2013—mark it down! Richt has these Dawgs back!!!!!
S.E. Dawg
February 5th, 2011
11:43 pm
Dream Continues, the schedule is pretty tough in 2013 if my memory serves me correctly. Alabama, LSU ring a bell.
Mississippi River Dawg
February 5th, 2011
11:47 pm
Man lets get it done next year. If we lose to MS. State next year im gonna lose my job.LOL so please dawgs keep me on the up side this year. It was a hard week at work this past year after the lost to the bull pups
RED DOG 77
February 5th, 2011
11:59 pm
S.E Dawg……..I wouldn’t worry about 2013 now, if I recall it is 2011, but if you insist, we have beaten the crap out of both of the teams that scare you in the past. We will do it again. Alot can happen in three seasons, in fact, three seasons ago we were ranked #1 in the nation………and that is exactly where I expect us to be when we meet Alabama and LSU in 2013 ! The University of Georgia, like other great institutions, cycle up and down from time to time……….we are on the up cycle and should be there for the next 5 to 7 years………just look at BULLDOG history.
south
February 6th, 2011
12:01 am
Buzztime- another stellar class for the jackets, congrats. You signed like 16 HS quarterbacks. Now we’ll all sit back and watch as the genuis CPJ figures out where to play them.
RED DOG 77
February 6th, 2011
12:13 am
SE Dawg…….I loved your 11:39 post, and I couldn’t agree more. You know SED, it seems funny to me, just a few weeks ago everyone seemed to want coach Richt’s head on a stick. I don’t hear so much of that anymore, just shows you how dadgum stupid some of our own can be ! Me? I have supported Richt all along, and would think you have as well……….Bulldog Nation, I hope all remembers, good team chemistry begins with the fan base……….just imagine what kind of class we would have had if we hadn’t had all the bed wetters crying the past couple months……..They don’t dare do that in Texas, and just look at their 2010 season !……….Regards, RED
Herschell??
February 6th, 2011
12:43 am
RED DOG 77 go to bed !! You have had way to much KOOL-AID Today
Sean
February 6th, 2011
1:21 am
Great get for the Dawgs, 2011 and 2012 could be special years our team. On a side note, anyone read this? It’s a testament to Richt’s character and class. GO DAWGS , RIP James Eunice.
http://grittree.wordpress.com/
StatesBurr
February 6th, 2011
2:09 am
Carlton: You are correct sir regarding Auburn, in order run up-tempo it requires the perfect pieces… too bad Auburn lost each piece this year. Lets hear from the Auburn fans who will replace them. ………(chirping crickets)
Go Dawgs!
February 6th, 2011
7:23 am
it’s more about the “jimmys & joes” than the x’s & o’s, and NOW it appears we have both. All those who have been calling for Richt & Granthum’s heads, get ready 2 choke on the crow you’re going to have to eat! Now shut up, sit back, and enjoy the ride!
mark
February 6th, 2011
7:51 am
To those who made and make the snide comments about the Coach’s faith..We got a great group due the leadership and values of Coach Richt. Go Dawgs…
tc
February 6th, 2011
8:26 am
I just still want ti know if CMR and Bobo are going to keep calling an ill advised pass play on first down, then run on 2nd and ten only to get three yards making it 3rd and 7 forcing a pass play on 3rd down that every fan, coach, and player from both teams is coming? This is UGA’s typical offensive sequence. Usually this set of downs comes after we have had a very succesful running set of downs that our opponent has been unable to stop, but we get bored with it even though it is working and change our momentum and wing up killing our drive ourselves. This horrible play calling needs to stop no matter who we recruit.
tc
February 6th, 2011
8:31 am
Also, many of you forget that the coaching staff likes to run the ball on 3 and 25. I hope Crowell is that good!
don medeiros
February 6th, 2011
8:51 am
Dawg
He’s been playing in South Mississippi the last 2 years – I think he can handle the heat ok.
Mike Bobo
February 6th, 2011
9:15 am
Can’t wait to put Big John in there at fullback in 2nd and long situations to run it right up the middle. It’ll work in 2011, people. Trust me. You’ll see…
THE TRUTH
February 6th, 2011
9:21 am
I’ll say it first….National CHAMPS 2011!!!! These guys will just DOMONATE the compitition!!
Black Mountain Bulldog
February 6th, 2011
9:32 am
This was UGA’s most important pick up. This dude is a beast!
Great class Richt and staff.
RTR
February 6th, 2011
9:41 am
UGA can recruit them (not as well as Bama). UGA just can’t coach them or utilize their talents enough to win football games consistently. Roll Tide!!
Jborodawg
February 6th, 2011
10:29 am
“Go Dawgs….OH YOU JOHN JENKINS……my God a JC transfer…..”
LOL!!
dawg85
February 6th, 2011
10:51 am
He will help. The dummies who think he’ll be a non-factor against Boise and Auburn don’t know what they are talking about. His purpose is not to put up numbers but to control the middle. You take away the run up the middle against Boise and Auburn and you change the offense and make playing defense a lot easier.
I-DOG
February 6th, 2011
10:55 am
Calhoun Dawg:
You are correct sir! We got a terrific recruiting class. The next step to turn this ship around is to get the players stronger and in outstanding condition. Your comment about 0 arrests is as important as ANYTHING else this staff is doing for UGA football. They need to emphasize EVERY DAY how much the arrests (UGA brain injuries) hurt the team and that any player that gets in trouble publicly will be missing several games and hurting his team badly.
I love your goal of 0 arrests. Honestly, I would be thrilled with only 1 arrest on something minor with a 3 game suspension. That would be as big a shot in the arm to UGA football as this recruiting class. I honestly believe that if we can get to game time against Boise with ONLY 1 suspended player, that will be as big to the future of UGA football as this landing Drew, Jenkins, Crowell et al. I want the staff to put the same energy they put into recruiting this group into helping to keep this current group of players keep out of the headlines for anything negative.
It doesn’t matter how much an OL can bench or how fast a RB is or how many stars a recruit was rated if they are suspended for important games or kicked off the team.
Jborodawg
February 6th, 2011
10:56 am
“tc” and everybody else who complain about our run plays…
We AVERAGED over 30 points a game. Yet, Richt/Bobo don’t know how to call plays? Before Richt/Bobo, how many did we average? Hmmm….
Common Sense
February 6th, 2011
10:59 am
@ Prince os Alabama
You are so dumb. You are really dumb.
We got as many wins against Aubie the past 6 years as you got losses against Aubie last 6 years.
Look it up.
You done left fingerprints. We looking for you. We gonna find you…
south
February 6th, 2011
11:14 am
tc- offense was never the issue with this team. DEFENSE has been the issue. If you score 30 points a game, you should win in the SEC…that’s bottom line.
Defense was improved last year, but not significant enough. Suspensions hurt this team as much as anything. This class should contribute in 2011, especially on defense. Other than Crowell, I think offense is pretty set. Maybe Mitchell will get some snaps if he picks up route running and blocking schemes, but I think he contributes on defense and special teams.
Mike
February 6th, 2011
12:23 pm
Still going to have to beef up. Nice set of skill recruits but until you get seasoned physical lineman on both sides will continue to be soft. 2012 is when you get back into the thick of it.
UGA's middle on their D line
February 6th, 2011
12:31 pm
UGA’s D will be much heftier and beefier and tougher and experienced in 2011. Corner backs will be taller and as fast with Mitchell and Swain with more talent behind these two. Also, the lLB corps should be fast in the inside with Jarvis and Samuels. UGA will be deep also at safety with Hamilton, Ogletree and Rambo and a couple of more.
Am I correct in assuming that the UGA NGs will be Jenkins and then Kwame Gaithers and then Bean Anderson? They are all 325+ …………….. are they not? This scenario simply did not exist in 2010 and for that reason UGA lost 4 games they should no have and maybe even Florida. Our middle on D was a 0. Now? MUCH SUPERIOR on paper,at least.
UGA's O next season
February 6th, 2011
12:36 pm
UGA on O will be quite a bit different in 2011 due to QB depth. That will create scenarios for the more athletic QBs like Nick Marshall and Lemay. These two are tall, very fine arms and speedy and can run the spread in a Wild Dog formation. Both in the game or one with Murray will be fun, especially with FB Figgins at 6′5″ and 265 clearing a path like a road grader.
Fulltime dawgfan
February 6th, 2011
1:05 pm
Hey I missed the live announcement does anybody know of a website that I can watch it on!
ugab
February 6th, 2011
2:08 pm
Great Job in Recruiting this year. Coaches need to be on top of the players mentally and physically. Nothing comes easy on the dawgs schedule. Work!
ugab
February 6th, 2011
2:11 pm
Players are here now! Where are the high paid coaches? I hope the coaches are willing to lead this year. Haven’t had leadership at uga in a long time. Fire these Players UP
BigDawg
February 6th, 2011
2:51 pm
It is official….The Junk Yard Dawgs are finally returning. With all this talent on Defense. There is no excuse! Get it done Grantham!!! Please keep everybody healthy and out of jail.
claytondawg
February 6th, 2011
3:27 pm
Ok, everyone. Bottom line? Time for the ‘Dogs to put up some meaningful numbers on both sides of the ball. Don’t you think? We are all nothing but armchair quarterbacks. While I’m as excited as most of the ‘Dog Nation, we certainly have to wait until September to see REAL results. And, I think we will.
TiernanShea
February 6th, 2011
4:04 pm
I played with John in high school, he’s one of my best friends. All you guys saying he’ll only play 15 plays are dumb. He’s in really good shape for his size, and runs a 4.9 forty. He played fullback, tight end, linebacker and d-line for us. You guys got an excellent athlete and a great person. He’s going to put in all the work necessary and more. Congrats Georgia!
Dream Continues
February 6th, 2011
9:34 pm
With jenkins, UGA will have the best d-line in the SEC. This dream team gets better every day! mark this down–Ga wins the SEC in 2011—best D in the SEC.
Simple math
February 7th, 2011
6:02 am
All you kool aid homos saying I told you so, Georgia’s great, MR is the best, gonna win the East, yeah you heard it here 1st….blah, blah. I am so freaking smart, hey look at me, look at me…….hahaha. You all have no clue what’s going on in Athens, if you did you’d crap yourself instead of dreaming all over yourselves. 6-7 plus big time UGA = playing time to these recruits. That simple. A great recruiting class from a great state does not mean things are fixed. Things can get worse.
woebegong
February 7th, 2011
6:13 am
Simple Math,
You got the simple part down pat. Are you on this blog before you get ready for school today? Middle school it would seem. Whatever team you favor; You must be mighty scared of UGA’s impending success and mighty worried about your school, getting thier butt handed to them by the DAWGS. No doubt, you exist to just be a pain in the lower extremity of decent DAWG fans around the SEC. Possibly, you will grow up someday, but I doubt it very much.
Simple math
February 7th, 2011
8:00 am
Dang, woe, you are a freaking genius and a very witty blogger. I am humbled by you mentality. Like I said you haven’t a clue what’s in store in Athens. I am TEMPTED to type in CAPS to RETORT to your points, but my CAP lock button isn’t LIGHTING.
woebegong
February 7th, 2011
8:24 am
Simple Math,
Your caps light isn’t the only thing not lighting up.
Dawgs back
February 7th, 2011
10:22 am
Book it–UGA is officially back. With all this new top talent, Ga has the SEC east locked up for years and will win the SEC in 2012. Florida’s recruiting was average and tennessee didn’t get any good talent. Dawgs in the BCS soon!
Papadawg
February 7th, 2011
10:47 am
Our defense is starting to look like an SEC defense.
John
February 7th, 2011
11:43 am
No more field goals on 4th and inches?
Simple math
February 7th, 2011
12:53 pm
Good one woe, but I set you up………
Jenkins > Fairley
February 7th, 2011
12:53 pm
With jenkins on the D-line the UGA D will control the game. No team in the SEC will be able to run on this D. grantham’s 3-4 D is perfect for jenkins, who will easily be all-SEC.
Pacific Dawg
February 7th, 2011
4:46 pm
Great News on Jenkins. Keep an eye out for Tombstone. After 2 quarters at JC, he could be able to sign in 2012. Grantham has told him that a schollie will be waiting for him. Could be a lethal combo with the Cork and Tombstone plugging up the middle for the Dawgs defense.
Freehawk
February 7th, 2011
5:47 pm
Now all the Dawgs need is a player for 3rd and long, which is more realistic than 4th and 1. On that down anyway, coach Richt is going to punt or field goal, since the kickers are the best players on the team.