| 95 Ventrell Jenkins |
|
|
A defensive tackle for most of his career, he got an extensive trial at defensive end in the spring ... Looked good at the new position, showing excellent quickness in the pass rush, and projects to be a starter in 2008 ... An interesting story, he played the best football of his career last season when it was thought he might not play at all ... An unusual shoulder abnormality was discovered in the spring of 2007; had surgery and it was thought he might miss the season ... Made a quick recovery, however, and was able to play ... Appeared in 33 career games, earning two starts.
2007 (Junior): Played in all 13 games ... Started in the win over Louisville and pulled down a career-high six tackles against the Cardinals, including a quarterback sack ... Made three stops in the victory over top-ranked LSU, including a career-high two sacks ... Has a streak of at least one tackle in 15 consecutive games.
2006 (Sophomore): Played in 12 games ... Got first career start vs. LSU and responded well, tallying six tackles and two for a loss ... Had five tackles, two for a loss, and one sack vs. hometown school South Carolina ... Had 19 tackles on the season.
2005 (Freshman): Played in eight games ... Made six tackles, highlighted by quarterback sacks against Florida and Vanderbilt ... His sack at Vanderbilt was a key play in helping preserve the win over the Commodores.
High School: Outstanding athletic prospect who was a dominant defensive force at Columbia (S. C.) HS ... Two-year starter, playing linebacker, defensive end, and defensive tackle ... Team went 11-3 his senior year and reached the state semifinals in Class AA ... Played in 10 games as a senior and totaled 129 tackles, featuring 12 tackles for loss, eight quarterbacks sacks, two fumbles caused and two fumble recoveries ... Also played some on offense at fullback and showed his athleticism with his ability to block defenders in the open field ... Named all-region and All-Midlands area ... Coached by Kemper Amick ... "The first word that comes to mind when I think of Ventrell is `relentless,'" Amick said. "He never stops. He is so explosive off the football. Once we moved him from linebacker to the defensive line he was almost unblockable." ... Transferred to Glenforest School in Cayce. S. C., to complete his high school ... Played basketball, baseball, and track there, helping Glenforest win the state championship in basketball ... Ran the 400-meter dash and also competed in the shot put and discus throw ... Chose Kentucky with final consideration to South Carolina and Clemson.
Personal: Born in Orangeburg, S. C. ... First name is pronounced "ven-TRELL" ... Son of Stacey Jenkins and Sandra Keitt ... A cousin, Jamie Jenkins, played basketball at Coker College ... Major is social work.
Community Cats: Has put in extensive time as a mentor at Johnson Elementary School (2006-07) ... Volunteer official at a youth tournament (2007) ... Participated in events with the Boy Scouts and UK Children's Hospital (2008).
Jenkins Career Statistics
Year Position G-GS Tackles TFL-Yds. Sacks-Yds. FR FC
2005 Def. Tackle 8-0 6 2-20 2-20 0 0
2006 Def. Tackle 12-1 19 4.5-10 1-5 0 0
2007 Def. Tackle 13-1 34 5.5-29 4-27 0 0
Totals 33-2 59 12-59 7-52 0 0
2007
Opponent Tackles Sacks-Yds. TFL-Yds. FC FR PBU
Eastern Kentucky 1 0.5-3 0.5-3 0 0 0
Kent State 2 0 0.5-0 0 0 0
Louisville 6 1-8 1-8 0 0 0
at Arkansas 4 0 0 0 0 0
Florida Atlantic 3 0 1-2 0 0 0
at South Carolina 3 0.5-4 0.5-4 0 0 0
LSU 3 2-12 2-12 0 0 1
Florida 1 0 0 0 0 0
Mississippi State 3 0 0 0 0 0
at Vanderbilt 3 0 0 0 0 0
at Georgia 3 0 0 0 0 0
Tennessee 1 0 0 0 0 0
vs. Florida State 1 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 34 4-27 5.5-29 0 0 1
