Jordan Jenkins will be a force to reckon with

Jordan Jenkins played well for the New York Jets last season as a rookie after a slow start. Make no mistake, he will be a force to reckon with in 2017.

Linebacker Jordan Jenkins came to the New York Jets as a third-round pick in last year’s draft. The outside linebacker measures out at 6’3″ and 260 pounds. Jenkins had a great training camp last year and quickly earned himself a starting role.

Slowed by injury early, fans began to take note on his return to the field. As with any rookie starting in the NFL, there was a learning curve as he adjusted to Todd Bowles‘ defense. The thing that stood out about him though was the development he showed as the season progressed.

Jenkins played his college ball at the University of Georgia where he played as a true freshman and earned himself six starts. Missed by many due to the fact that he played opposite of Leonard Floyd, Jenkins quietly began to come into his own.

Through his career at Georgia, he posted 204 tackles, with 107 of them being of the solo variety. In addition, he had 39 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. In coverage, he dropped back and was credited with five pass defenses. Add to that, he forced six fumbles and recovered three of those himself. Here are some highlights from his days at Georgia.

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Last season, Jenkins had decent stats for the Jets as he developed on the fly. He posted 43 tackles, 23 solo, and five for loss.

Jenkins dropped back and was credited with two pass defenses, went forward and produced 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Pretty nice production for a third-round pick playing in a complicated defense.

Bowles and new linebackers coach Kevin Greene have both had praise for Jenkins this Spring. While he still has work to do as an NFL pass rusher, he’s already proven he is solid against the run. Expectations are high for the young linebacker in 2017. With the tutelage of both Bowles and Greene, the sky is the limit for what he might accomplish this season. If his development continues, make no mistake, Jenkins will be a force that opposing offenses will need to reckon with.