NG John Jenkins changes tune, says he’ll definitely return for senior season
DE DeAngelo Tyson (L-R), LB Michael Gilliard and OLB Sterling Bailey all had to watch practice from the sidelines Friday due to injuries. That's OL Xzavier Ward in the background. (Photo by Chip Towers)
TAMPA – Upon further review, Georgia’s John Jenkins said Friday he’s definitely coming back for his senior season.
The 6-foot-3, 351-pound noseguard has waffled about whether or not to turn pro after his one and only season with the Bulldogs. He requested an NFL draft evaulation earlier this month and said earlier this week he was going to give the pros serious consideration.
But then Jenkins said before Friday morning’s practice he’d decided he’d definitely remain a Bulldog another season.
“That’s where I belong, I belong at Georgia another year,” said Jenkins, a six-game starter this season. “I believe at the end of next year I’d have no choice but to be ready.”
Jenkins said he had not yet received his draft grade back from the NFL’s advisory board. But he said didn’t need to see what it said.
“Unless it’s first round, then I’d be a dumb guy not to go out,” he said. “But I don’t think that’s what I’m going to get. I think everybody knows I need to come back and polish up more with Coach [Rodney] Garner behind me. That’s what I need to do.”
With his size and athleticism, Jenkins is clearly an eventual NFL player. He has progressed exponentially during his six months at UGA. He went from playing behind sophomore Kwame Geathers to becoming a six-game starter. He enters the Outback Bowl with 28 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 10 quarterback pressures. All are exemplary numbers at a position primarily designed to tie up interior blockers.
Jenkins is one of several Georgia underclassmen considering entering the NFL draft. Safety Bacarri Rambo said Thursday he had received a third-round draft grade from the NFL and was still “50-50″ on the decision whether to stay or go. Tight end Orson Charles is also thinking about it, as is outside linebacker Cornelius Washington and a few other players.
The Bulldogs have the ultimate resource at their disposal in Todd Grantham, who spent 11 years in the NFL before coming to Georgia as defensive coordinator. He sees it as a fairly simple decision for these young men.
“If you’re not a top 15 pick you should stay in school,” Grantham stated flatly. “If you’re a top 15 pick, the amount of money that you make you can justify it. But if you’re not, you should work to become that. Because if you look at the guaranteed money you make up at the top is so great, you can actually make money by staying. You go from being a middle second-round pick to a bottom first- or top-second-round pick, you’re talking hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. You can make that by working hard.”
That said, Grantham said he doesn’t flat out tell a player he should stay or go.
“Each individual is different and each individual has to make their own decisions,” he said. “We’re going to do what’s best for them.
“I’ll talk to them and give them my view as far as pluses and minuses for all good players and just lay it out there for them. I want to make sure they make an educated, wise decision that’s best for them and their future. But if you’re not a top 15 pick you need to be working to become that.”
– Chip Towers
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410 comments Add your comment
Bigdsel
December 30th, 2011
3:19 pm
Great decision Jenkins. Come back dawgs and help UGA win a national champ. That’s why u came here right?
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
3:23 pm
Garner
December 30th, 2011
2:53 pm
I hope we have a huge, good, athletic O-line next season. Nothing pleases me more than a dominant O-line that just blasts the D-line off the line.
Your line this year was Larger than NFL lines. WTF do you want? Elephants? murray can hardly see over the line you have now.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
3:26 pm
I would hate UGa to win the BCS title because listening to the dawg fans would be too much. That being said I am not worried that the Dawgs will do that anyway. UGa gets lil respect when they are the best in the SEC. They don’t get that respect because the Good teams in the SEC will be down and the Dawgs will play a weak schedule.
THAT it the TRUTH and how ESPN sees the Dawgs. Hate if for you dawg fans but it is what it is.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
December 30th, 2011
3:43 pm
13-1 (4.29,Thomas Brown,buLLdawg,etc.)
Again you are showing for about the 1,000 time hos big a tool you are. You are again earning that Mythical Blogger of the Year award.
Note you are not a bigger fan than anybody b/c your “Daddy” bought season tickets in 1957. Your Daddy might be but you are just fortunate he cared enough to let you be apart of this beautiful university. For his gift you repay him how? By coming on the AJC and showing your ass w/o even a webcam. That is some kind of record for damn sure.
With all that fandom you talk about “YOU” possess you forget this University, the team, and this blog will go on without you and will not skip a beat. So tell us again then how “big” a fan you are that you will not even be missed if you just went away…..
North Georgia Dawg
December 30th, 2011
4:05 pm
To those saying Jarvis Jones should leave early- GET OVER IT! He is coming back and has said that multiple times! He may have been drafted high, but obviously he WANTS to stay at Georgia. I don’t know why some of you can’t understand that. Some guys just love to play the game and/or want a college degree.
North Georgia Dawg
December 30th, 2011
4:08 pm
Let’s focus on winning the East again and then maybe the SEC championship before the national championship. Our line has to get better for us to beat the elite teams and Richt hasn’t gotten to the NCG yet. He has to prove he can. Go Dawgs.
suwaneedawg
December 30th, 2011
4:08 pm
This was huge for next season. Thanks Big John!
North Georgia Dawg
December 30th, 2011
4:10 pm
That being said, our defense could be loaded with the guys we have coming back and the young guys like Swann and Drew fighting for snaps. Should have more depth next year and be even better defensively.
We Need O-Linemen
December 30th, 2011
4:27 pm
Glad Big John is coming back. Defense will rock. But we need O-lineman Avery Young and Greene needs to switch from Bama. Also, don’t underestimate John Atkins who will probably move to O-Line with Jenkins coming back. Atkins is athletic. He will dominate the Under Armor game.
JDawg1785
December 30th, 2011
4:32 pm
Great news! Get that degree, Big John!
puff
December 30th, 2011
4:38 pm
Yoo hoo … Chip I know you are in Tampa but couldn’t AJC at least have an intern listen to this afternoon’s BB game and post score? According to this site, tickets still available.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
4:45 pm
I am not buying the Big John is coming back just yet. He probably said that to get all the people blowing up his Facebook, twitter, email, cellphone, parent’s home phone, and in person off his back. UGa fans are so passive don’t you know. They love the high school kids until they don’t choose UGa and they love their players until they leave early. See if they ALL would just play 4 years UGa would have like 5 or 6 BCS MNC’s. We KNOW Stafford and Knowsho would have been Co-Heismen winners and Co-BCS Championship Game MVPs.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
December 30th, 2011
4:47 pm
…..and Reggie Ball would have won the Heisman if he hadn’t forgotten it was 4th down, right?
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
4:49 pm
I doubt that Lowcountry, but he was undefeated against a top 10 Auburn and never beat UGA.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
December 30th, 2011
4:55 pm
I meant that as literal as you meant yours my friend.
icedawg
December 30th, 2011
4:58 pm
Whew! Great to have him for another year. He’ll just get better and improve his draft position. Probably the others as well.
TampaGator
December 30th, 2011
5:05 pm
Went to the TEAM BEACH PARTY today at Clearwater Beach…..and it was the smallest crowd and the least energetic crowd I have ever witnessed for that event. No energy at all. Even Richt could not get the crowd going. He even commented, “Is this all of you?” (Very small Georgia turnout compared to the other BEACH PARTY events I have attended in the past). And many Georgia fans were complaining about having to pay for parking at Clearwater Beach (been that way for 30 years). Wow. I guess Georgia fans have gotten used to parking for FREE in Shreveport and Memphis…..(sorry…I could not help myself).
big john 340 lbs
December 30th, 2011
5:17 pm
@tampagayturd- any reason u need to go hang out at the UGA TEAM BEACH PARTY?
gators better get use to shrevport and memphis under muchchump.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
5:23 pm
They will be back! They always come back, another Quaalude they will love me in the morning.
14-1 SEC East Champions 2012
December 30th, 2011
5:25 pm
Yo, KNOW! That enough of a change for you?
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
5:26 pm
48 my man. I have been on Bill King’s and taking and giving abuse. LOL. How was you day?
I saw a 123 point game and Koby and LeBron were not involved.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
5:30 pm
Tough day at the office. Ready to watch some SEC vs ACC in a few.
chickenman
December 30th, 2011
5:34 pm
WOOOO
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
5:36 pm
Are you staying on this one? I am on Bill’s and Tech’s. Supersize just go in to El Paso and is blogging too.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
5:40 pm
I will go to the tech blog
Buckhead Bulldog
December 30th, 2011
5:56 pm
14-1 SEC East Champions 2012
December 30th, 2011
5:25 pm
Yo, KNOW! That enough of a change for you?
_____________________________________________
Wow dude! Plowed on the Turkey at 5:30? I SALUTE YOU!
BG
December 30th, 2011
6:02 pm
Glad Big John is coming back. GO DAWGS!!
BillDog
December 30th, 2011
6:19 pm
It sounds like we have a good person in Coach Grantham. He has had his high and low points, but if he makes sense to his players and they believe in him then he is a great person to have on staff. Our defense is greatly improved since his arrival and it looks like he has won the respect of his players. I sure do wish we had someone equally as good as offensive coordinator. I like Mike Bobo and he is a Dawg, but I think he is over his head as O.C. and should return to QB coach where he has excelled.
ARdawg
December 30th, 2011
6:23 pm
OC is coming back too and he should. If there is anyone with high dollar ability it is him. Rambo is 3rd round at best. He’s just not impressed and often burned. He needs more time.
Many of these kids are already feeling financial pressure, a 100K signing bonus and a chance at making a roster will make up their mind to go
TampaGator
December 30th, 2011
6:28 pm
Big John 340….
Takes me about 5 minutes to walk to the spot of the event. I go every year, no matter who the teams are. Then I head to the Gator game. The Gators are 6-6 this year and did not go to Shreveport or Memphis. Sincerely doubt they ever will go to those cities…..and sincerely doubt they will ever come close to being 6-6 again.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
6:28 pm
ARdawg but O Charles is the #2 0r #3 best TE in the Draft and that means at least 2nd round. i don’t think by staying a year he will do better than that. Just my opinion.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
December 30th, 2011
6:31 pm
Smart-
Agreed that is the tough call. Also someone mentioned his lack of blocking ability earlier. Well in the Pro’s I doubt he will be called on to block to much. What he may lack in the areas can easily be coached up in the Pro game. His athletic ability and mismatch with LB and safetys is what is going to make him go in the 2nd-3rd rd.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
6:37 pm
Low…I would go if I were him and not cause I am a Tech fan. I just don’t see what UGA can to to get him better than the DRAFT he is looking at.
Are you guys going to be here talking SMACK during the ACC(Wake) v SEC(Miss St) game? there are a few of us that want to chat during the game and we are on the Tech UZZI blog and here. we are trying to find where the people are. i know it is Friday but some football fans will still be watching. ACC is 2 v 3 SEC with 2 more H 2 H games left. This game and the Chick-fil-A game so 1 league will have a winning record for sure.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
6:39 pm
Low…also Charles is WR fast and TE big. He could make for some nightmares on LB or DB coverage for damn sure.
BiggDawgK
December 30th, 2011
6:41 pm
Tampa you are right I see a lot of 4-8 and 5-7 records in the gators future. Don’t give up hope though y’all might get back to 6-6 one day.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
6:44 pm
BiggDawgKKK is already DRUNK on Friday night. No Wife beating when Wake beast Miss St tonight. Are you going to hang and talk some fun smack?
BiggDawgK
December 30th, 2011
6:50 pm
smart. Just make sure you don’t beat your husband when wake loses.
ARdawg
December 30th, 2011
6:53 pm
ApersonSMART
That doesn’t necessarily equate to 1st or 2nd round pick though. 1st round is millions, 2nd is thousands. 2nd or 3rd TE is a coin toss especially for tight ends. OC is very intelligent. I’m sure he’ll do whats best for him and I wish him well either way. A blocking TE with good hands will have more stock with padded stats
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
6:56 pm
The SEC will give the ACC another beating in……3……2……..1
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
6:57 pm
WAKE by 17 ACC v SEC will be 3-3 after this game.
ACC……………….SEC
Clemson over Auburn…………1-0
Clemson loss USC…………….1-1
Wake loss Vandy……………….1-2
FSU over Gators………………..2-2
Tech loss UGa……………………2-3
Wake………Miss St……………..
UVa……..Auburn…………………
UNC Loss Mizzou………………*****
I am not counting MIZZOU because they are not SEC right now.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
6:58 pm
I see the Twinkie eating B..Otch is in the HOUSE. LMAO I want My Opossum.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
7:00 pm
WAKE is ready to make a DRIVE
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
7:00 pm
Well almost a INT but almost a TD so close either way.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
7:01 pm
OUCH STUFFED like a turkey on thanksgiving.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
7:01 pm
Damn!!!!!!!! Wake QB does have some ZIP on his passes.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
7:02 pm
The SEC holds an 263-130-10 (.665) all-time advantage.
But who is counting……
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
7:03 pm
My DAMN Ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
7:03 pm
Dang it! Hold on to the ball!
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
7:04 pm
48 you do know quite a few of those 263’s are Ga. Tech Wins from being in the SEC. LMAO
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
7:06 pm
That was funny!