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
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
10:40 pm
kerryb you miss read the post. try again.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
10:43 pm
Smart
Yea and my wife does to….we want to get 2 this spring for gifts.
Got a baby on the way, spending money on the baby stuff right now.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
10:44 pm
Block this punt!
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
10:44 pm
Dang….. What a punt!
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
10:46 pm
Is Oklahoma playing the steelers?
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
10:46 pm
48 I don’t know the contracts.
last as a Sr I played with Chris Lancaster at RMA and the went to Clemson as a Fullback.
kerryb
December 30th, 2011
10:48 pm
npgator
December 30th, 2011
11:24 am
Charles should leave and take the money.
_________________________________________________________
I took that that to mean that he thought he was a top 15 pick. I guess since he is a UF fan he may just want him to leave.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
10:49 pm
So was he on there NC team?
kerryb
December 30th, 2011
10:50 pm
Oklahoma plays their fight song as much as TN plays Rocky Top.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
10:51 pm
Kerryb
Lol that’s true!
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
10:52 pm
48 OK but if you have a baby coming mom makes Knitted Baby Blankets. White, Blue, or Pink with Fringe for Birth or Christening blankets. I will try to send you some pick and a DADDY Contract. I use a temporary Email address to contact people form the blogs.
Hit me if this interest you.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
10:53 pm
Yea send me some pics
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
10:55 pm
WOW Hawkeyes rush was strong
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
10:57 pm
48 OK.
johnnymknight@aol.com is the temp email address. you have it but I will need to know it is u based on some question I will send you after the email.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
11:01 pm
A person SMART enough to know……
December 30th, 2011
10:29 pm
SEE the LONGER we chat we ALL find common ground and bridges are made until thr UGa v GT game. LOL
LOL
I think as soon as every one gets on the AJC blog they catch A$$ holeitis as soon as they start to type!
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
11:05 pm
I think I screwed that up. The website is Atlhaulitallinc.com. and the email is atlhaulitall@aol.com He will forward me the Emails for interest in my woodworking.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
11:05 pm
Smart
Ok. Any time over the next few days or so be OK?
still a dawg fan
December 30th, 2011
11:06 pm
Hey Guys,
Don’t make the same mistake R. Curran made. NFL projected him at a 2nd round & he went 4th or 5th round & now 2 years later he is out of football & no degree. Should have come back for his senior year. There is no demand in the NFL for a 5-5 linebacker with ave NFL speed
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
11:08 pm
48 NO NO NO that isn’t what happens. It is the 1st cousin is mad the 3rd cousin it sleeping in the same Tent with Mom Sister Cousin. You know we are talking about the south. LOL
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
11:08 pm
I will contact you on the bird house e mail then.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
11:10 pm
48 cool they are to order and to make you happy. i do it for fun and beauty for the birds.
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
11:12 pm
Yep
Oklahoma is making me look dumb!
Dawg48
December 30th, 2011
11:14 pm
Smart
I’m out..
I will let you know when I send you a E mail threw them.
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
11:14 pm
OKLAHOMA is doing that? I thought the DAWG part was leading the way on that path to DUMB! LOL
A person SMART enough to know......
December 30th, 2011
11:16 pm
Be SAFE, BLESSED, & HEALTHY IN THE NEW YEAR.
WDE
December 30th, 2011
11:19 pm
A person SMART enough to know…you too!
bobby
December 30th, 2011
11:54 pm
jenkins is making the right decision to stay in school. you could that he was getting better game by game and it will certainly continue next season as a senior.
Cadman
December 31st, 2011
7:00 am
ESPN ranked Ugag as the most dillusional fan base in America. This blog is proof positive!!!!!
RedandBlackDAWG
December 31st, 2011
7:07 am
What school do you support Cadman?
13-1 SEC East Champions 2012
December 31st, 2011
8:24 am
TampaDawg,
I see. I login. I read just off-topic personal attack, specific personal attack.
And, I am not to reply in kind ?
Just leave a personal attack sitting there, when I did NOT start it.
Right.
Sounds like CENSORSHIP to me, sir.
I am not into censorship. I believe a person has a Right to their opinion.
The CRIME as you call it is that I have the TIMIDITY to come INTO HIS BLOG, when he does not even go to the games, and share that I really want to win this game against Michigan State Monday at 1pm. That it is most important for this entire season. That we MUST win it.
NOT that we have already arrived with 10-Win season. 26 teams this season alone are 10-Win seasons. What is so special about 10-Win Seasons ?
I look at our 10-Win Season and I see Georgia tek is # 30 in the AP Poll and # 29 in the Coaches’ Poll playing a Utah team who is NOT RANKED.
I see Auburn who has ZERO VOTES in either the AP or the Coaches’.
Chris Low ESPN says a team is MEASURED BY THEIR WHOLE BODY OF WORK FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON. Neither Georgia tek nor Auburn, OBVIOUSLY, have ANY HOPE OF ENDING THIS SEASON A RANKED TEAM.
We beat NO team who ended up a ranked team last season, 2010, either.
2009, we have 1 win over a team who ended the season in the top 25, and had we NOT beat them, they would have VACATED the win.
2008, we played 3 teams who were legitimate. Michigan State certainly beat no team who ended in the top 25, but ended up # 25 anyway. That is the sum total of the wins 2008 over teams who ended up top 25.
I’d LIKE TO BEAT A TEAM WHO ENDS THE SEASON A RANKED TEAM. One whom Chris Low would consider over the body of the work for the season, a ranked team. You know ?
TampaDawg, a team who ends up top 25. Us with a win over them.
That doesn’t sound like I am asking much.
I have repeatedly called for the EXTENSION of Mark Richt’s contract LONG-SINCE. I like the guy.
Instead, I login and find that I (1) and a Georgia tek fan with my season tickets since 1978 in my name and prior to that Dad’s whom they would not let me move his points to my name. I attended UGA games since 1958. (2) that I am stupid. My diploma from UGA does not reflect that, but Honors in Latin on my diploma. (3) that I don’t know anything about football, when pardon me I played db. (4) that I do not have the Right to post my opinion that we haven’t done diddle-e-squat this 2011 season, last 2010 season, season before last 2009 season, nor 2008 season four long seasons ago.
TampaDawg, excuse me sir, if I take a moment every once and a while and ask the question, why a poster is a better Bulldogs’ fan than I when I certainly have and continue to support this football program, and believe that we are dragging this football program into the ground saying that we have already arrived with but -0- wins AGAIN this season over any team who ends up in the top 25.
I’d like to beat Michigan State.
We might play -0- teams before The SEC Championship Game next season behind Keith Marshall, who end up top 25. We might play 1. South Carolina. I don’t see it, if there is another team who ends up top 25 on that schedule 2012 for us, including a most unsavory 7 CUPCAKES at HOME for my season tickets (Do you ever stop and consider how much you and I spend every year on going to these games in total ? I went to the Georgia Dome, too, twice this season. We weren’t close in either game. I have wasted monies on T-Shirts from the Dome such as my Bust Boise $ 20 wasted monies, MARTA down there, food which was a lot less than I expected to find, and this time vs LSU did not even get offered their Jambalaya as previously down there tail-gating.)
I’d just like to Win over Michigan State.
Pardon me to all those that offends. I don’t think in the least that they are BETTER Bulldog fans than I because they ALREADY BELIEVE we have had a TREMENDOUS SEASON 2011. Uh, no we haven’t. We are 11-3 now only if we win, and I said we’d be 11-3. I said we wouldn’t have beat any team who ended up in the top 25 to go 11-3, and indeed we haven’t. Now, we have an opportunity.
I also have the TIMIDITY to state that Aaron Murray is NOT ALL THAT GREAT as our Quarterback, and that his season is a Sophomore SLUMP compared to what I found last year when I NAMED HIM MY FAVORITE BULLDOGS’ # 1 MOST VALUABLE PLAYER FOR 2010, stating as I have repeatedly that there was no # 2, just Aaron Murray as MVP 2010.
This offends ?
Pardon me.
And, Pardon me for showing such a poster that they too, have SAID ALL THESE SAME POINTS OF MINE.
And, make NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, what that poster wants is to BAN ME. To censor me. To not allow my opinion.
Where does MY OPINION differ from that poster’s OPINION ?
Trust me, that poster has MADE ALL THE SAME STATEMENTS.
So, here we have it
TampaDawg, I am not allowed to point out that that poster SAYS EXACTLY WHAT I SAY, to the T.
Just call it CENSORSHIP here in America; there is NO OTHER WORD FOR IT.
13-1 SEC East Champions 2012
December 31st, 2011
8:44 am
Maybe I said it better than that poster.
With more force.
That is my profession.
It is what I do. I do have a way with words.
Which is why my home is paid for and has been for decades.
Why I owe no one one penny.
For anything.
Why I donate my earnings at my Church and to my alma mater, and to the Educational Fund. Thousands of dollars I donate to The University of Georgia.
And, I invest a ton more of my monies every year all these last 4 seasons too, to be able to login and say on my own that I’d like to BEAT MICHIGAN STATE.
We don’t take advantage of these situations playing Michigan State. That doesn’t mean that I don’t like Mark Richt. I wish he would beat someone. I’d like to see us beat a team who ends up in the top 10 again too, but that too, hasn’t happened since # 9 Auburn in 2006 when we lost 4 games then too including to an 8-loss Vandie – and that was Six (6) Seasons ago.
I want MORE.
That poster wants what we have, yet, his posts clearly state the same as I, exactly, word for word.
Don’t they ?
Or, you own TampaDawg.
But, thanks for the question
TampaDawg
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
13-1 SEC East Champions 2012
December 31st, 2011
8:45 am
But, I cannot have MY OPINION.
Just him, his.
Dogs Smell
December 31st, 2011
9:19 am
Hell, I would return as well with that schedule.
ATL Sports Fan
December 31st, 2011
9:43 am
I just do not get it. If you beat a team and your win knocks them out of the Top 25 you should be punished? Also, I guess the BCS rankings mean nothing. Auburn is ranked 25th in the most recent BCS standings. 13-1, you are right. You can voice your opinion but your opinion is stupid and moronic. Usually if you beat a team that is in the top 10, more than likely you knock them out of the top 10. You just do not get it!!
ATL Sports Fan
December 31st, 2011
9:46 am
It’s hilarious reading your rants 13-1. Who cares if they ended being in the top 25. Does that mean anything? I guess it means more to you if you beat them anytime during the season as long as they are ranked in the final polls. Guess what…..If Auburn beats Virginia, they will be ranked in the final polls. If UGA beats MSU, MSU will be ranked in the all mighty FINAL POLLS!!
wally
December 31st, 2011
10:36 am
Good news about Jenkins, As far as a national championship, everything has to fall in place. Maybe the dogs will have the talent. Some great teams win the NC, Some do not There will only be one NC and because you do not win the NC that does not mean you do not have a great team.
LSU Tigere I still think you were fortunate to get out of Atlanta with a win, even though the score was lopsided, acouple of TD missed and a couple of breaks here and the and yes you Tigers could have lost. That was a hard pill to swallow and I have not swallowed it yet. GO DOGS.
ugab
December 31st, 2011
1:51 pm
Charles should stay to work on his size and blocking as a TE. Rambo should stay to just get better at all phases of the game. Rambo would not play in the NFL. Rambo needs one more season. Jenkins is good, but not great. Jenkins needs to work hard during the off season. Jenkins needs to be dominant, not just big and good. Jenkins and Geathers could be alot better. Washington has not make much noise this year. J Jones is a great player. Jones was a force in the Fla game. Jones was never a factor in big games. I think Jones should come back. MR took Jones in after USC wrote him off.
ugab
December 31st, 2011
1:56 pm
Money talks!! I have seen alot of players leave Uga early. Most of the players that have left Uga early are not playing in the NFL. I agree with Grantham. If you are not a top 15 pick. Stay in school, get a degree, and become a better player and person.
ugab
December 31st, 2011
2:00 pm
NC teams have alot of seniors and juniors playing on defense and offense. It will be tough for Uga to win a SEC championship next season. The OL is going to be weak next season.
Beast from the East Eaten by Dawg
December 31st, 2011
2:42 pm
Is Derrick Henry waivering on his commitment?
http://recruiting.blogs.gatorsports.com/12033/uga-commit-attends-gator-bowl-practice/
National Champs in 2012
December 31st, 2011
2:58 pm
UGA will win it all in 2012. And, we won’t need a CAM Newton signing to do it like Auburn.
RTR22
December 31st, 2011
6:03 pm
Brick, please post the 125 signed loi out of Bama the last 4 yrs. Dumb As
Preston Thompson
December 31st, 2011
7:33 pm
I find it down right amazing not to long ago most knowitalls were calling for Grantham’s head. After all, he had shown to much emotion and embarrassed the UGA football team, University, and everybody connected to the program. He threated the Vanderbuilt head coach and called the jerk what he was.
Now look at it just a few month later. Most of you can’t handle someone that can call black black and white white without and gray inbetween. But praise the ones of you that can. The man is good at what he does and need not bow his head to anybody.
DOGGIE IN NC
December 31st, 2011
10:13 pm
OK SEC haters – suck on this – here is a list of the SEC bowl teams, and their opponents, along with each team’s end of year standing in in their respected conference (based on regular season won/loss record)
(T-2) Georgia vs (1) Michigan State
(T-4/Arkansas vs (2) Kansas State
(T-4)South Carolina vs (5) Nebraska
(6) Auburn vs (T-3) Virginia
(7) Florida vs (T-8) Ohio State
(T-8) Mississippi State vs (T-3) Wake Forrest
(T-8) Vanderbilt vs (T-1) Cincinnati
Florida is the only SEC team that has a better conference record than their opponent’s conference record (can’t count USC – a tie for 4th is the same as being 5th).Think about this at the end of the bowl season. GO DOGGIES!
Snoop dawg
December 31st, 2011
11:07 pm
What is the value of a college degree to these young men? Is anyone advising them on the long term value of being legitimate?
Snoop dawg
December 31st, 2011
11:17 pm
Snoop dawd just finished watching the chick filament bowl and has a question. Why would anyone witha choice intentionally choose to go to a second rate school like Auburn when they could go to the UGA?
Hadenough
January 1st, 2012
4:07 am
Hope all come back so we can make a run at the natie.
RedandBlackDAWG
January 1st, 2012
5:52 am
Can somebody please tell me, how a team can have over 400 yards of offense, have a 14 point lead, and let a QB, that by most standards, would not even be on most DIV. 1 teams rosters, beat them. I think somebody needs to get a DC at their school. They can’t afford to get rid of their HC, because they would have to pay out too much money to do that. They need to finish off paying their previous BB coach to the tune of 7 million dollars worth. I hope that Tech. at least made some profit at the sun bowl yesterday, to go along with the 1 billion bucks that some tech. fan said they receive each year, in endowments and Alumni contributions. If not for conference affiliations, they would be in the red as a football team every year.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
January 1st, 2012
12:12 pm
@Preston Thompson(7:33 pm post):
You said it my friend. After the Vandy game most, if not all, of the AJC writers were leading the pack to censure, punish, fire and ride CTG out of town on a rail when all he did was tell Vandy coach Franklin to stay away from his player, who Franklin was chewing out. CTG also got in a shouting match with some of Franklin’s entourage which amounted to zero.
It finally died after the SEC investigation determined nobody should placed before a firing sqad but the unfairness of trying desparately to pin something unfavorable on CTG that was initiated by someone else gripes me to this day. AJC was like a pack of dogs attackiing a newborn calf and to be honest about it, my hero, CMR, was initially a part of the attack because he didn’t see what actually happened but made a couple of ill informed statements at first. I suppose that when the SEC found NOTHING of any significance occurred on CTG or Franklin’s(The initiator and culprit if there was one) part it went away, Just like it should have 10 minutes after it happened..
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
January 1st, 2012
12:17 pm
@Red and Black Dawg:
One way to achieve that would be to have abd 85 year old washed up, DC.