Skip to main content
florida-state logo

UPDATE: Florida State signs former Tennessee DE Jayson Jenkins

On3 imageby:Michael Langston•01/05/25•

MichaelWarchant

Jayson Jenkins
via UT communications

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell officially announced the signing of Tennessee defensive end transfer Jayson Jenkins late Sunday morning.

“I’m fired up to add Jayson to the Nole Family,” Norvell said in a press release. “He brings great length, physicality and a relentless style of play. Jayson has a high ceiling. I believe his best days are in front of him, and he will be a huge impact to our program.”

Jayson Jenkins | DL | 6-6 | 281 | Bordentown, N.J. | Notre Dame High School/Tennessee

Appeared in 20 games over three seasons at Tennessee…totaled 15 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one forced fumble with Volunteers…played all 13 games in 2024 as Tennessee reached College Football Playoff…recorded nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in 2024…registered strip sack vs. Mississippi State…recorded career-high 1.5 TFL and was responsible for safety in win at No. 15 Oklahoma…made four tackles with 1.0 TFL as redshirt freshman in 2023…added one tackle vs. Ball State as true freshman in 2022, his only appearance in redshirt season…three-star prospect out of Notre Dame High School in Bordentown, New Jersey…member of NJ.com Top 50 with 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as senior.

EARLIER REPORT

Florida State took another step toward rebuilding its defensive front for 2025 on Saturday by landing Tennessee defensive line transfer Jayson Jenkins.

The pass-rusher’s NIL agents confirmed the signing to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Jenkins, who played defensive end for three years at Tennessee, committed to the Seminoles after visiting this week. He becomes the fourth defensive end transfer to commit to Florida State this cycle, joining James Williams of Nebraska, Deante McCray of Western Kentucky and Deamontae Diggs of Coastal Carolina.

Defensive end is a major area of need for Florida State following the departures of starting ends Patrick Payton and Marvin Jones Jr. to the transfer portal.

Jenkins didn’t rack up major statistics during his time at Tennessee — he was credited this past season with nine tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble — but he brings very good size at 6-foot-6 and 281 pounds.

The New Jersey native was a redshirt sophomore in 2024, so he has two years of eligibility remaining.

To land Jenkins, Florida State had to beat out the likes of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia Tech. Even with four defensive end transfers on board, the Seminoles would like to add one more before the start of the spring semester.

If you’re not yet a subscriber, join Warchant’s FSU Community for $1 today!

Join Warchant for Market-Leading Florida State Football coverage!

Warchant.com provides just what passionate FSU fans expect: Market-leading coverage of Seminole athletics and recruiting.

Join the largest Florida State fan community and receive all the benefits that come with it:

  • Elite team and recruiting coverage of the program you love.
  • Exclusive video and board Q&A’s with Warchant staff.
  • Interaction with the most passionate Seminole fans across multiple board forums.
  • 10% off all Garnet & Gold purchases while holding an active membership. Member exclusive discounts once a month at even higher savings.
  • Access to Warchant member benefits and giveaways at site events.
  • So much more!

Talk about this story with other die-hard Florida State football fans on the Tribal Council.

You may also like