Positives -- An athletic pass rusher with great burst off the snap, possesses the fluidity and athletic ability necessary to move to outside linebacker and stand up for a 3-4 team... Fluid hips and changes direction well, had been used almost solely as a pass rusher and seldom dropped into coverage prior to this season, but was used in more of a hybrid role in 2011, dropping into coverage and rushing the passer while standing up; should ease the transition to 3-4 OLB in the NFL... Has long arms and very good straight-line speed, closes quickly and can deliver some impressive hits and make a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage, stronger upper body than lower body, has a mean streak... Favors the spin move, shows good flexibility to dip his shoulder under the reach of lineman and work his way around the corner... Has good lateral range and can beat running backs to the spot on wide running plays, very good in backside pursuit... Diagnoses plays fairly quickly, is rarely fooled by misdirection or screens, plays with a lot of aggression but doesn't take himself out of plays, also does a good job anticipating snap count... Gets his hands up in passing lanes when he can't get to the quarterback... Plays with a high motor, doesn't take plays off and will make plays all over the field... Was named first-team All-ACC as a sophomore with 63 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks; was also named team's Most Valuable Player, over quarterback Christian Ponder.
Negatives -- Doesn't have the frame to carry any additional weight without impacting his speed, already added 15 pounds following his sophomore season, lacks the bulk and power to remain at defensive end in the NFL, except maybe RDE in a Tampa-2... A bit of a one-trick pony as a speed rusher at this time, doesn't show a swim or rip move, is still a work in progress although he has the physical tools and upside to improve in every facet of the game... Needs to improve hand usage, struggles to disengage, has some difficulty fighting through contact, isn't very strong, can be pushed around and engulfed by more powerful linemen... Struggles to hold the point of attack, lacks the strength to often be a factor versus the run, teams will run directly at him and exploit his lack of size, will miss some tackles... Numbers were down this past season, but draft stock hasn't changed because he still played with the same passion and aggression, and was still making an impact on games. At Florida State -- (Official School Bio) Preseason All-America Selection who looks to build upon a very successful sophomore campaign. Named to the watch lists for the Lott Trophy and Bednarik Award, both given to the nation's top defensive player. Also is a top candidate for the Nagurski as well as a preseason All-ACC candidate. A natural pass rusher who continues to grow into his frame and who excels with his speed rush. Probably his best trait is his quickness off the ball. Has good instincts, knows how to play the game and react to the ball. 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.