Defensive tackle Jayson Jenkins recaps Florida official, plans moving forward
Jayson Jenkins, a defensive lineman from New Jersey, visited the Gators this weekend after being courted by Billy Napier over the past few weeks. The 2022 defensive lineman got an up-close and personal look at Gainesville and UF over the weekend.
“It was great. Gainesville is a great place, and coach Napier and the rest of the staff have a special thing brewing down here,” Jenkins told GO.
“They’re taking the program in a totally different direction. They are elevating in any way possible,” Jenkins said. “The coaches are coming into place with a great staff coming from the NFL and other great colleges. It is very cool to see the program going in such a good direction.”
Jenkins talks about the Florida staff, relationships
On Wednesday, Florida sent four coaches to see Jenkins for an in-home visit, including new Defensive Line Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator Sean Spencer.
“Coach Spencer is a great guy in general. He is very energetic and is always trying to get a laugh in,” Jenkins said. “He knows a lot about the game and is a great coach overall.”
Jenkins tells Gators Online that the UF staff likes him at defensive end. “They’re looking at me as an end, mainly just holding that edge on the defense and being an anchor.”
During his visit, Jenkins measured in at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds.
“They broke everything down to a T, including the stance, and overall the coaches they have in place know a lot about the game and are great teachers,” Jenkins said. “Coming from them and hearing what they have to say about what I can offer is a great thing.”
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The visit gave Jenkins a new outlook on Florida.
“Just continuing to build our relationship and giving me a better outlook for what they have to offer at Florida.”
What is next for Jenkins?
Jenkins will visit Tennesse next week and will decide by National Signing Day. West Virginia and Missouri are also in the mix.
“Just overall where I see myself best fit and continuing to see not only the school but of the coaches and the people I’m going to be around.”
Defensive end Antwaun Powell hosted Jenkins this weekend. “Antwaun, he just said that with Napier and the rest of the staff coming in, it is totally different from the two weeks of them being here and that they’re treated better as players and that they’re really going to turn up this year.”
After the three-day stay in Gainesville, the New Jersey native still does not hold an offer from the Gators.
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
![Florida s Ron Roberts will serve as executive head coach, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Roberts was coaching drills Saturday. The Florida Gators held their second Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, March 9, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/07/30115745/Untitled-design-20-2.png)
