Brandon Jenkins, DE/OLB, Florida State: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Brandon Jenkins participates in a defensive drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 251 pounds

Position Rank:

Drafted By:

40 Yard Dash: DNP

Bench Press: 18

Vertical Jump: DNP

Broad Jump: DNP

2011 Stats (missed 2012 w/Lisfranc injury)

Career Highlights (via FSU athletic site)

2012: Preseason All-America and All-ACC candidate who registered three tackles, one sack and had one pass break-up in the season opener against Murray State before suffering a season ending Lisfranc injury to his left foot.

2011: Second-year starting junior at the right defensive end position who earned second team All-ACC honors…made 27 consecutive starts, including all 13 games in 2011…one of the nation’s elite pass rushers…used in a variety of roles by defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, from the traditional down position to a stand-up player with rushing and coverage responsibilities…led all Seminole defensive linemen with 41 tackles and 29 solo stops…paced the team with 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks…his 36.5 career tackles for loss rank eighth in FSU history and his 21.5 quarterback sacks ties for eighth on the school’s all-time list…registered a season-high five solo tackles against No. 1 Oklahoma…had a season-best 2.5 sacks and tackles for loss against Virginia on a day when he finished with a season-high six tackles…earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for his performance against the Cavaliers…played his best football down the stretch, posting 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks over the final three regular season games…played a leading role for an FSU defense that ranked second nationally in rushing defense and fourth in both total defense and points…named one of three most valuable players on the defense at the team’s annual banquet.

2010: A true sophomore and first-year starter at right defensive end, Jenkins emerged as one of the elite rush ends in the nation…a first team All-ACC selection…earned second team All-America honors from Rivals.com, fourth team from Phil Steele and honorable mention from Sporting News and SI.com…was the biggest statistical contributor to FSU’s nation-leading 48 quarterback sacks…ranked third nationally in total sacks with 13.5, which tied for the fifth-best season in Florida State history…tied for fourth-most nationally with 21.5 tackles for loss, which is the third-best season in FSU history behind Brodrick Bunkley and Darnell Dockett…registered two-sack games five times in 2010, the last time coming against Florida which earned him ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors…enjoyed perhaps his best performance in the Seminoles win over Boston College, when he registered a career-high nine tackles (six solos), including 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks…ranked sixth among Seminoles in total tackles with 63, including 42 solo stops…filled his stat line out with two pass breakups, four quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles…recognized as the team’s Most Valuable Player at the annual football banquet.

2009: Played in 12 of 13 games as a true freshman after enrolling in January 2009…had 12 total tackles and three tackles for loss, including one in the Seminoles’ Gator Bowl victory over West Virginia…saw his playing time at end increase in passing situations late in the season…managed to lead the team in quarterback hurries with four…announced his arrival with an impressive spring practice just two months after becoming the lone early enrollee.

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Everyone knew it was going to be tough for Jenkins to match the production he had as a sophomore, which was absolutely sick with 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks but Jenkins’ overall game didn’t deteriorate and he remains one of the two or three best defensive end/outside linebacker prospects in the draft. He could have easily come out as a junior after recording 41 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, as well as eight sacks, but he decided to return for a senior season to a loaded FSU defensive line where he will be featured as arguably the best overall player. Obviously coming back to school has exposed more of Jenkins’ overall game, and the best quality he possesses is an extremely quick first step, but he is also very good using his hands. He needs to learn how to stay low and not get engulfed by blockers at times, but the talent is certainly there. As a 4-3 defensive end, he is not quite ideal size but he could still be very productive there. He will get a lot of looks from teams who utilize both schemes, though he doesn’t have much experience dropping in coverage. His pursuit to the ball is very good, and he should be a first or second round pick come April.

2011 Notes:

First team All ACC as a sophomore with 55 tackles and 13.5 sacks along with 21.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Really emerged as one of the best pass rushers in the country, and one of the top defensive ends overall. Slightly undersized with upside potentially as a rush linebacker in the NFL. Jenkins has great burst off the line, and doesn’t let anything get past him. Uses his great arm length and upper body strength to beat offensive tackles, and also has good speed off the edge. Very, very good form tackler, and made Denver Broncos second round pick Orlando Franklin look like he was standing still as he bent around the edge and sacked the Miami QB. Absolutely relentless with advanced technique for his age, and played RE almost exclusively for the Seminoles. Never gives up on a play. Also saw action on special teams, and his like a ton of bricks. One of my favorite defensive end prospects for next year or 2013, whenever he opts to go to the NFL. Absolutely a top of the line pass rushing prospect, and could be a top five talent.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)