New Story Class of 2018 OL Jeff Jenkins commits to Iowa

[Blair Sanderson]

Hawkeyes land 2018 OL
Blair Sanderson | Editor

Class of 2018 offensive lineman Jeff Jenkins committed to Kirk Ferentz today.

After landing a scholarship offer from Iowa on January 13, it did not long for Class of 2018 offensive lineman Jeff Jenkins to make a decision. This afternoon, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Illinois native gave his verbal commitment to the Hawkeyes during an unofficial visit to campus.

“I just kind of knew,” said Jenkins. “When I first met the coaches, I kind of knew that I wanted to be a Hawkeye, and then I got on campus and I knew 100% that Iowa felt like home to me. I didn’t want to wait and possibly lose the opportunity, so I wanted to jump on it right away.”


Jenkins, who led Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge to a state title this past season, gave the news to Iowa coaches Kirk Ferentz, Brian Ferentz, and Seth Wallace shortly after a tour of the campus and facilities today. Now heading back home, the Class of 2018 prospect is excited about his decision and his future at the University of Iowa.

“It’s crazy,” Jenkins said. “I’m excited to be a Hawkeye.”

“I’m just happy and can’t wait to start working towards next year and then eventually come up here to Iowa City and play for the Hawkeyes,” he continued. “I’m just really excited.”

Along with Iowa, Jenkins drew early scholarship offers from Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Ball State, Central Michigan, and Toledo.

Jenkins is the second commitment for the Hawkeyes in the Class of 2018, joining Wisconsin linebacker Mike Bruner.

See highlights from Jenkins’ junior year at Prairie Ridge in the video below.

 

[IA_Hawks7]

He moves very well for an offensive lineman

 

[win1forthe]

Have seen him play several times. Big, tough kid and really believe he'll flourish in Iowa's system. Believe Iowa has offered Prairie Ridge's QB Samson Evans, too. Excellent athlete. Iowa would be very fortunate to get these two guys. And, no, don't have any affiliation to their program, just have watched them numerous times and Jenkins really stood out.

 

[katman15]

This kid has lots of tools- Good foundation to start with.. So, I hate to bring this up, but this kid can't make any other visits- is that the way you guys understand the policy.

 

[Blair Sanderson]

Have seen him play several times. Big, tough kid and really believe he'll flourish in Iowa's system. Believe Iowa has offered Prairie Ridge's QB Sampson Evans, too. Excellent athlete. Iowa would be very fortunate to get these two guys. And, no, don't have any affiliation to their program, just have watched them numerous times and Jenkins really stood out.

Yep, and Evans visited Iowa City today too.

 

[39HISMN]

This kid has lots of tools- Good foundation to start with.. So, I hate to bring this up, but this kid can't make any other visits- is that the way you guys understand the policy.

You hate to bring it up, but you did anyway.

 

[katman15]

You hate to bring it up, but you did anyway.

I'm serious, can he take visits,, ,not trying to be a smart ass - it's an honest question...

 

[Cougar63]

No more visits

 

[katman15]

No more visits

I hope we can keep him..Wish the June early signing date would have passed. This kid is going to hounded foe the next 11 months. I could see him as a four star..

 

[Birky]

I'm serious, can he take visits,, ,not trying to be a smart ass - it's an honest question...

Depends on if he tells Iowa about it first.

 

[QChawks]

Nice get

 

[terrehawk]

Probably another guard right?

 

[Cougar63]

At 6'4", I'd think guard. The way he moves, I'd think tackle. Idk.

 

[bloodredd]

Damn, that big dude can run.......

 

[20Hawkeye14]

Can never have too many athletes on the O Line.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

I hope we can keep him..Wish the June early signing date would have passed. This kid is going to hounded foe the next 11 months. I could see him as a four star..

Did the early signing date get shot down?? Not having an early signing date is a huge hurdle. It would certainly benefit Iowa in recruiting.

 

[Cougar63]

They shot down June, but December is still an option.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Perhaps more important than an early signing date would be allowing official visits during the Junior year. The way recruiting is now, most kids are committing before they can even take an official visit.

The recruiting process is seriously broken. I'm shocked they haven't overhauled it completely.

 

[David1979]

Man, this kid looks like he is going to be a good one. He is really athletic.

 

[BigOHawk]

 

[mjdejong1]

I like I like

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

This kid has lots of tools- Good foundation to start with.. So, I hate to bring this up, but this kid can't make any other visits- is that the way you guys understand the policy.

Nobody forced the kid to commit either. He can visit Iowa any number of times he wants. He likely gets free tickets every time he visits the Hawks too. Also, I could be wrong, but it's still a little early yet ... and the JRs haven't yet gotten the written offer from the Hawks that explicitly states that they are expected not to take other visits. However, that said, I'm sure that the coaches have explained that given his commitment, they expect him to not visit other places.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

The kid gets down field well. He has huge growth potential - he looks really lean right now given his size. Body-type wise, he reminds me a bit of Riley Reiff. Iowa has made huge headway with guys like this ... big guys who are athletes first ... and then Iowa teaches them all the technique that they need to know.

Also, most important, I really liked the effort I saw from the kid on the highlight film. Really seemed to work hard ... didn't give up on plays. He put up a lot of "hustle" plays too. The Iowa coaches like that sort of thing. Anyhow, I agree with what others have said ... the kid seems to be a really nice fit. Congrats to him and congrats to the Hawks.

 

[MepoDawg#]

Perhaps more important than an early signing date would be allowing official visits during the Junior year. The way recruiting is now, most kids are committing before they can even take an official visit.

The recruiting process is seriously broken. I'm shocked they haven't overhauled it completely.

They've proposed an official visit period of April 1 through mid to late June of junior year as well as the December signing period. Seems like only the SEC doesn't like it.

 

[terrehawk]

At 6'4", I'd think guard. The way he moves, I'd think tackle. Idk.

I saw somewhere else where he was listed at 6 foot 3 inches. In the picture with Kirk Ferentz he looked quite a bit taller than Kirk. The picture with Brian he didn't look that much taller. He might be able to play tackle at Iowa. But long-term probably a legitimate guard

 

[terrehawk]

The kid gets down field well. He has huge growth potential - he looks really lean right now given his size. Body-type wise, he reminds me a bit of Riley Reiff. Iowa has made huge headway with guys like this ... big guys who are athletes first ... and then Iowa teaches them all the technique that they need to know.

Also, most important, I really liked the effort I saw from the kid on the highlight film. Really seemed to work hard ... didn't give up on plays. He put up a lot of "hustle" plays too. The Iowa coaches like that sort of thing. Anyhow, I agree with what others have said ... the kid seems to be a really nice fit. Congrats to him and congrats to the Hawks.

I wish Wirfs gave that effort. He has ability but he has underwhelmed me in those respects since I saw him play as a junior. I made that critique and got lambasted by the armchair quarterbacks on here. Watching him play as a senior I didn't see much of an improvement in that area. Hopefully he figures that out

 

[BigOHawk]

Brian and the staff will coach that out of Big T! From the All American practice reports, he turned it on there.

 

[David1979]

I wish Wirfs gave that effort. He has ability but he has underwhelmed me in those respects since I saw him play as a junior. I made that critique and got lambasted by the armchair quarterbacks on here. Watching him play as a senior I didn't see much of an improvement in that area. Hopefully he figures that out

Kirk and Brian don't recruit OL that don't give the effort.

 

[ThriceHawk]

I wish Wirfs gave that effort. He has ability but he has underwhelmed me in those respects since I saw him play as a junior. I made that critique and got lambasted by the armchair quarterbacks on here. Watching him play as a senior I didn't see much of an improvement in that area. Hopefully he figures that out

I think the problem people have with comments like that is that we heard the same things about Scherff and Matt Nelson. You could be right or could be wrong.. we'll see.

 

[Freyvet]

I wish Wirfs gave that effort. He has ability but he has underwhelmed me in those respects since I saw him play as a junior. I made that critique and got lambasted by the armchair quarterbacks on here. Watching him play as a senior I didn't see much of an improvement in that area. Hopefully he figures that out

Big T showed tremendous growth as a Senior! Still room to grow but iron sharpens iron and he'll be challenged to respond! The Iowa coaches are confident he will so that is the only opinion that matters!

 

[spbc7]

Now a 4 star (#188 overall) on 247. Article says that his name is creating some buzz in recruiting offices

 

[hawkeye bb n fb fan]

Now a 4 star (#188 overall) on 247. Article says that his name is creating some buzz in recruiting offices

My 247 Sports still has Iowa with no 4 stars

 

[cb_Iowa]

My 247 Sports still has Iowa with no 4 stars

The service 247, not the composite. Look right under the composite score.

 

[hawkeye bb n fb fan]

The service 247, not the composite. Look right under the composite score.

Ok gotcha thanks. Wait, to make sure I'm seeing it right, it's the red thing right? So we have quite a few 4 stars?

 

[cb_Iowa]

Ok gotcha thanks. Wait, to make sure I'm seeing it right, it's the red thing right? So we have quite a few 4 stars?

Nope. That is the number of services that have ranked the kid.

247
Rivals
Scout
ESPN

Those are the 4 that go into the 247 composite.

 

[hawkeye bb n fb fan]

Nope. That is the number of services that have ranked the kid.

247
Rivals
Scout
ESPN

Those are the 4 that go into the 247 composite.

Ok I get it now. Thanks

 

[nitewing]

Johnson was a 4* till he committed to Iowa and then he was dropped to a 3*. this going on all the sites Iowa when they do get a 4* he is dropped to 3*. its a shame they have so much contempt for a staff that has 4 ex NFL Coaches.

HC KF HOLC for the Cleveland Browns now the Baltimore Ravens
DC/DB Phil Parker who got his start under Nick Saban then from 92-98 DB Coach for the NY Giants
OC/RB Brian Ferentz former NFL Lineman the TE Coach for the NE Patriots
RB White came from the Minnesota Viking then left
QB KOK was the WR coach then finished as the SR WR coach for 3 seasons then served as the SR Offensive Assistant for 1 year then finished as the SR FB Research Analystfor the Miami Dolphin

and these recruit service treat these coaches with nothing but contempt and like they are to stupid to Identify or recruit top talent.

 

[nitewing]

Ok I get it now. Thanks

Scout no longer exist as they are now part of 247,

 

[Freyvet]

Johnson was a 4* till he committed to Iowa and then he was dropped to a 3*. this going on all the sites Iowa when they do get a 4* he is dropped to 3*. its a shame they have so much contempt for a staff that has 4 ex NFL Coaches.

HC KF HOLC for the Cleveland Browns now the Baltimore Ravens
DC/DB Phil Parker who got his start under Nick Saban then from 92-98 DB Coach for the NY Giants
OC/RB Brian Ferentz former NFL Lineman the TE Coach for the NE Patriots
RB White came from the Minnesota Viking then left
QB KOK was the WR coach then finished as the SR WR coach for 3 seasons then served as the SR Offensive Assistant for 1 year then finished as the SR FB Research Analystfor the Miami Dolphin

and these recruit service treat these coaches with nothing but contempt and like they are to stupid to Identify or recruit top talent.

The only thing that matters is how the Iowa coaches evaluate them and then how they develop! EVEN IF THIS DOES HAPPEN it shouldn't bother you 1 bit

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

Johnson was a 4* till he committed to Iowa and then he was dropped to a 3*. this going on all the sites Iowa when they do get a 4* he is dropped to 3*. its a shame they have so much contempt for a staff that has 4 ex NFL Coaches.

HC KF HOLC for the Cleveland Browns now the Baltimore Ravens
DC/DB Phil Parker who got his start under Nick Saban then from 92-98 DB Coach for the NY Giants
OC/RB Brian Ferentz former NFL Lineman the TE Coach for the NE Patriots
RB White came from the Minnesota Viking then left
QB KOK was the WR coach then finished as the SR WR coach for 3 seasons then served as the SR Offensive Assistant for 1 year then finished as the SR FB Research Analystfor the Miami Dolphin

and these recruit service treat these coaches with nothing but contempt and like they are to stupid to Identify or recruit top talent.