BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Union County High School seniors Jacob Jenkins and Deonte Jones signed letters of intent to play college football during a Feb. 7 ceremony in the UCHS media center.
“I’m excited and happy that I get to go to college and play football — a thing I love,” said Jenkins, a 6-3, 315-pound defensive lineman who’s going to North Carolina A&T. “I really hoped that I would get this chance. I knew that God had my back.”
Jones, a 6-2, 175-pound safety, will play at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens. Like Jenkins, he used the words “excited” and “happy” to describe his feelings on getting the chance to play at the next level.
“It’s a lifetime opportunity,” Jones said.
Jenkins said he was also seriously considering Georgia State University in Atlanta before deciding North Carolina A&T was where he should go.
“I like the campus and the way the coaches are,” he said. “I got to meet some of the players. I liked them as well. I like their facilities, too.”
North Carolina A&T is a Division-I Football Championship Subdivision program that competes in the Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference.
Jenkins finished this past season with 47 tackles for UCHS, which tied him for second on the team. His 12 tackles for loss put him at third on the team. Jenkins had three sacks and also caused a fumble.
UCHS Head Coach Andrew Thomas described Jenkins as a “special talent” and said the lineman has the ability to improve to such a level that if he was at that level now, he might be signing with a Division-I Football Bowl Subdivision program.
“He’s physical in there,” Thomas said. “He’s tough to move. He understands how to play. He really can play multiple techniques inside. They’re getting a gem in him at that level.”
Jenkins said he feels like as he progressed at UCHS, he got better in attacking off the ball and using his hands to his advantage. Thomas said if there’s anything technique-wise Jenkins needs to improve on in college it’s playing more consistently at pad level.
Thomas said the biggest thing for Jenkins is to be in the weight room on a consistent basis and increasing his strength as his body matures.
“He’s still real young in his body,” Thomas said. “He’s going to get bigger and stronger (at North Carolina A&T) and get in a routine. It’s how much he wants it. He’s got a chance to be really good.”
North Carolina A&T is one of the 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S. Thomas said academics are a high priority, adding that a football player who makes a C in a class won’t be able to play.
“It’s like the Harvard of small schools,” Thomas said.
Prior to Jenkins’ signing, Thomas looked at him and said, “I know the NFL is probably in your dreams, but you leave with a degree there, son, and you’re going to go somewhere.”
Before that happens, Jenkins will look to make an impact on the football field. When asked what it’s going to feel like to step onto the field for the first time as a college player, he said, “I’m going to be excited. I can’t wait.”
Jones said he was considering other schools, but St. Thomas University proved to be a more appealing option.
“Ever since I went on a visit, they caught my eye,” Jones said, adding, “It felt the same as being here (at UCHS). People were very nice. It just felt like home.”
Thomas said Jones, who made 10 tackles and three interceptions this past season, has tremendous upside, noting his size and athletic ability.
“He’s not anywhere near his ceiling as far as football,” Thomas said. “He’s still real young in the game. If he commits to it, he’s just going to get better and better.”
In assessing his own attributes, Jones said, “I’m lanky, tall and fast and I’ve got that mindset of, ‘If I get beat this play, I’ll recover from it by the next play.’”
Jones said the most important thing for him to focus on in college is his schoolwork. Other than that, he said he has to “keep God in my life and just keep on pushing.”
St. Thomas University is preparing for its sixth year of football. It competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
“Nowadays, NAIA is big league,” Thomas said. “There’s a lot of good talent. There’s really not any small ball, so to speak, anymore, so (Jones is) going to be down there competing with a lot of good athletes and good players.”
St. Thomas’ recent signing class includes players from such schools as Bradford, Chiefland, Columbia, Eastside, Fleming Island, Forest, Mandarin, Middleburg, Raines, Suwannee, Vanguard and Williston.
“There are quite a few local guys signing with St. Thomas,” Thomas said. “He’ll be joining some guys from this North Florida area.”
The North Florida player from UCHS is looking forward to his first chance in a college game.
“I’ll just be happy and super excited,” Jones said. “I’m going to be ready, though.”
