Rashaad Jenkins
Defensive Back / Jackson State
Christopher Reiss: What are your measurements? (Height and Weight)
Rashaad Jenkins: 5’11 and 180lbs.
Christopher Reiss: During COVID-19, what have you been doing to prepare for the 2020-2021 season?
Rashaad Jenkins: I have been able to go to some local high school around my area with some other college athletes. I have been able to work on our craft together and have shown growth together. I have also been doing little things around the house to keep me active during this whole pandemic as well.
Christopher Reiss: When breaking down your film, what should stick out?
Rashaad Jenkins: What sticks out to me when you break down my film is no matter what, I am a sure tackler. It does not matter who, I will always get the tackle. If it is in the backfield or in the open field. I am also a leader on the defensive side of the ball.
Christopher Reiss: What schools showed interest in you coming out of high school?
Rashaad Jenkins: Coming out of high school, I had some HBCU schools. I waited and the head coach of Jackson State University called me and the rest is history. I will always be grateful for my opportunity to play for them.
Christopher Reiss: In high school, what other positions do you play besides defensive back?
Rashaad Jenkins: In high school, we ran a T-back scheme. Which I played all over on the offensive side of the ball. I played wide receiver, H-back, running back, and sometimes even at tight end. In high school, I was also the special teams guy. I was the kick returner and punt returner.
Christopher Reiss: In high school, what other sports did you play besides football?
Rashaad Jenkins: The first couple of years in high school, I ran track and field. The events that I ran were 4x400m, 4x100m, and 4x200m. The field events that I did were long jump and triple jump.
Christopher Reiss: What are the expectations for Jackson State this year?
Rashaad Jenkins: The expectations that Jackson State has this year is to win the Celebration Bowl. What happened last year, we have to leave it behind us and work as a team together to build off what we did last year and improve as a team.
Christopher Reiss: Is there anyone on Jackson State that we should keep our eye out for this season?
Rashaad Jenkins: DB CJ Holmes, WR Warren Newman, and LB Keonte Hampton.
Christopher Reiss: How would you describe your overall football career?
Rashaad Jenkins: I have had a pretty good career thus far, but I had to keep grinding and working to get my opportunity to play football. Growing up, I had to overcome a lot in my life to get where I am today, so getting that kind of production that I had last season meant so much to me. I will keep on grinding to reach my end goal.
Christopher Reiss: What is the highlight of your football career?
Rashaad Jenkins: My highlight would have to be getting an interception in front of the hometown crowd against Southern University. I had a bunch of friends and family attending that game. The entire crowd was cheering and it also showed the amount of work that I put in to be able to get this interception.
Christopher Reiss: What are some strengths?
Rashaad Jenkins: Some of my strengths are being an all-around playmaker on defense. I am a sure tackler. No matter how tired I am, I always hustle to the ball on every play. My biggest thing is being very consistent every single play.
Christopher Reiss: What are some assets of your game that you are trying to improve on?
Rashaad Jenkins: I am working on becoming a more complete defensive back. For example, I want to turn my pass break ups into interceptions. I want to turn my big hurts into fumbles. I want to create more turnovers on defense.
Christopher Reiss: What do you enjoy most about football?
Rashaad Jenkins: What I enjoy most about football is the experiences. To be able to play football in college always has been a goal of mine. I would also have to say meeting teammates that have come from different pasts and everyone coming together for a common goal which is to win.
Christopher Reiss: What are you majoring in?
Rashaad Jenkins: I am majoring in civil engineering.
Christopher Reiss: What does life after football look like for you?
Rashaad Jenkins: If I do not make it to the NFL, I want to become a professional civil engineering. Before I can own my own business, I am going to have to work as a civil engineer first. But the end goal would be able to have my own business at the end.
Christopher Reiss: What or who motivates you?
Rashaad Jenkins: My parents and my family is what keeps me going every day. They have supported me since I was five years old and they have no stopped helping me since then. I want to make it big in either football or engineering, so I can give back to my family. It would be a token of my appreciation.
Christopher Reiss: Is there a player you look up to that plays in the NFL?
Rashaad Jenkins: Kevin Byard, the safety for the Titans. He is a ball hawking safety. I style my game around his.
Christopher Reiss: What is your favorite NFL team?
Rashaad Jenkins: The Dallas Cowboys.
Christopher Reiss: Who is your favorite NFL player of all-time?
Rashaad Jenkins: I am a Cowboys fan. I have to say Deion Sanders. It does not get much better than Prime Time.
Christopher Reiss: What are some hobbies of yours?
Rashaad Jenkins: I love listening to music. I am very big into music. I can listen to almost anything. During this pandemic, I have been hanging out with my family a lot more, which I have been enjoying very much. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends in my hometown.
Christopher Reiss: On game day, what is your go-to artist?
Rashaad Jenkins: I don’t really have a go-to artist, but I have a gospel playlist that I listen to before games.
