Jenkins changes mind, decides to transfer from Vols
Less than two weeks after saying he was staying at Tennessee, redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Jayson Jenkins has entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Jenkins, a 6-foot-6, 280-pounder from Bordentown, New Jersey, competed in six games last season and compiled four tackles, including a lost-yardage stop against Austin Peay. His six appearances were against Virginia, Austin Peay, UTSA, Connecticut, Vanderbilt and Iowa — contests that Tennessee won by an average score of 44-11.
As a freshman in 2022, Jenkins tallied two tackles in the 59-10 opening rout of Ball State, which was the only appearance of his redshirt season.
Volunteers defensive line coach Rodney Garner praised Jenkins in late March, saying, “You have seen that guy grow by leaps and bounds. He has truly taken steps to where he can have a role on this defense.”
On April 9, Jenkins was asked why he had remained with the Vols, who have five multiyear seniors on the defensive front.
“I truly believe that Tennessee is just a family-oriented program,” Jenkins said. “Through all the relationships I’ve built, this is just a place where I feel comfortable. This is a place I feel I can make a difference, whether on defense or special teams, and I truly love it here.
“That’s why I’ve decided to stay.”
Jenkins, who had a tackle for each team during the Orange & White Game on April 13, is the second Vols player to transfer since spring practices ended. The first was junior linebacker Elijah Herring.
JACKSON COMMITS
Tennessee picked up its ninth commitment for the
2025 signing cycle on Monday afternoon, receiving a nonbinding pledge from four-star receiver Radarious Jackson of Sheffield High in Memphis.
The 6-2, 195-pounder is the No. 263 prospect nationally on the 247Sports.com composite rankings and the No. 6 player from Tennessee. The Vols now have commitments from three of the state’s top six recruits, having received previous pledges from Brentwood Academy quarterback George MacIntyre (No. 1) and Ensworth High defensive lineman Ethan Utley (No. 4).
Tennessee’s nine commitments are currently ranked 14th by 247Sports.com.
VOLS IN THE NFL DRAFT
Tennessee had five players selected in the 2023 National Football League draft, highlighted by offensive tackle Darnell Wright going 10th overall to the Chicago Bears.
Four more Volunteers — quarterback Hendon Hooker (Detroit), receivers Jalin Hyatt (New York Giants) and Cedric Tillman (Cleveland), and defensive end Byron Young (Los Angeles) — went in the third round. Tennessee has produced five picks in each of the last two drafts, with last year marking the first time the Vols had five players go in the first three rounds since 2007.
According to a recent seven-round mock draft on NFL.com, Tennessee will not have the same impact when this year’s three-day extravaganza begins Thursday night in Detroit. Here are NFL. com’s projections and assessments for the former Vols who expect to get taken:
JAYLEN WRIGHT
Position: Running back
Height/Weight: 5-11/210
Projection: Second round, going 62nd overall to Baltimore
Strength: “Sprinter’s speed for touchdown runs once he hits the open field”
Weakness: “Upright running style subjects himself to bigger hits”
JOE MILTON III
Position: Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6-5/235
Projection: Sixth round, going 179th overall to Seattle
Strength: “Elite size and arm strength are both well beyond positional norms”
Weakness: “Disturbing lack of placement and timing as a deep-ball passer”
McCALLAN CASTLES
Position: Tight end
Height/Weight: 6-4/249
Projection: Seventh round, going 235th overall to Seattle
Strength: “Has athletic talent for a robust route tree”
Weakness: “Inconsistent finishing run blocks to the whistle”