Former Tennessee defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins announces new commitment
Former Tennessee defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins committed to Florida State out of the NCAA Transfer Portal on Sunday. Jenkins is the fifth transfer from the Vols to commit to a new school, joining wide receivers Kaleb Webb and Chas Nimrod, defensive back Jordan Matthews and linebacker Jalen Smith.
Nimrod committed to South Florida on Saturday. Webb is headed to Maryland, Matthews signed with Vanderbilt and Smith signed with Mississippi State.
Jenkins had nine tackles, including 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, in 13 games this season. In three years at Tennessee he had 15 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in 20 career games.
Jenkins was a three-star prospect in the class of 2022 out of Notre Dame High School in Bordentown, New Jersey.
BREAKING: Tennessee transfer DL Jayson Jenkins has signed with Florida State, ESPN reports🍢https://t.co/kSYG7dYADj pic.twitter.com/goK7DDDvjE
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) January 5, 2025
He’s one of 11 Tennessee scholarship players that entered the NCAA Transfer Portal during the December portal window.
The other Vols who entered the portal and have not yet committed to new schools are tight end Holden Staes, defensive back Christian Harrison, running back Cam Seldon, wide receiver Nathan Leacock, running back Khalifa Keith and offensive lineman Vysen Lang.
Webb initially announced his transfer commitment to Wake Forest, but switched to Maryland after Wake coach Dave Clawson announced his retirement. As a redshirt sophomore this season he caught six passes in seven games, totaling 48 receiving yards with a long of 13.
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Tennessee’s losses in the NCAA Transfer Portal so far
Last season Webb caught 16 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown while appearing in 13 games. He played in three games as a true freshman in 2022.
Nimrod, another redshirt sophomore wide receiver, caught 10 passes for 121 yards in 12 games this season, recording season highs with three catches for 45 yards in Tennessee’s win over Kentucky on November 2. He had two catches for 34 yards against Kent State and combined for three catches for 29 yards against Arkansas and Florida. He caught 19 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown in 13 games last season.
Matthews, a 6-foot-2, 182-pound redshirt freshman, appeared in 12 games this season as a reserve defensive back and special teams player, recording 3.0 tackles and breaking up two passes. He broke up both passes in the season-opening win over Chattanooga on August 31, recorded two tackles against Kent State on September 14 and had one tackle against the Mocs.
Smith, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound redshirt freshman linebacker, played in all 12 games during the regular season, finishing with 34.0 tackles, with 13 solo and 21 assists, and had 1.5 tackles for loss. He had a career-high nine tackles against Kentucky on November 2 and five tackles against UTEP, including 1.5 tackles for loss. He had four tackles against Chattanooga and Florida.
Webb was a four-star prospect and Nimrod was a three-star in the 2022 recruiting class. Matthews was a four-star in 2023 and Smith was a three-star in 2023.
