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If you’re looking for Nick Jenkins , he has a lot more hair now than in fall of 2007. |
If you hadn’t seen UVa redshirt freshman Nick Jenkins between Meet the Team Day in 2007 and 2008, you probably wouldn’t recognize him. A year ago, he entered camp listed at 6’3″, 315 pounds. His head was shaved and he was working behind two experienced players. In 2008, Jenkins is listed at a 6’3″, 285 pounds and much more athletic and built. His head now sports floppy hair and he’s in the trenches taking reps with the first- and second-team units.
The Good Counsel High School product knows he has a lot of work still to do as he prepares to back up junior Nate Collins in the nose tackle role.
“Yeah [I’m making progress], but I still have a ways to go,” Jenkins said. “Like I said, Nate brings a lot to the table and I’m just trying to get up there with him.”
Jenkins is working along a similar path as Collins so he may be a key contributor before long. Collins suited up behind Allen Billyk as a freshman before splitting the snaps at what he estimated was a 60-40 rate last season. Jenkins may have a similar role as a reserve this season, particularly if the versatile Collins bounces around the line at all.
A SuperPrep and PrepStar All-American as well as a first-team All-Met honoree by The Washington Post as a senior, Jenkins could bring some playmaking skills to the Cavaliers’ defensive line. He posted 173 tackles in his final two seasons in high school, including an impressive 10 sacks and 11 tackles for loss as a high school senior.
His teammates see a high energy player that may make his presence felt in a similar way at UVa.
“He’s a tough guy. He’s a firecracker,” fellow defensive lineman Alex Field said. “He’s always got a lot of energy. He’s always ready to crack somebody around. He’s getting a lot of reps, working with the ones a little bit. I feel real comfortable out there playing with him.”
The Sabre sat down with Jenkins after a recent practice to talk about life as a Cavalier.
KRIS: How is the defensive line doing so far? How is everybody working?
JENKINS: Everybody’s doing real well. We’re all working. We lost three guys from last year. Everybody is just working hard with a full head of steam trying to get better every day.
KRIS: You redshirted last year. What were the big things you picked up on during that year and do you think it was a good thing for you?
JENKINS: Just watching Nate [Collins] and Allen Billyk both, watching both of them work and just sitting back now in practice and watching Nate take reps, you just get to learn the game speed and everything. Both of them brought a lot to the table.
KRIS: Do you think that year helped you form your body and learn more about the line?
JENKINS: Definitely. Definitely. I mean I lacked a lot of technique last year, but being able to watch them everything [helped].
KRIS: Coach Mike London was your position coach last year and the defensive coordinator. Is it different with Coach Bob Pruett and are you working closer with Coach Levern Belin?
JENKINS: Last year I had to deal with Coach Belin and Coach London both, but Coach Belin was the nose guard coach primarily last year so it’s good this year because it just carries over to this season.
KRIS: What’s he like as a coach? Is he laid back, is he an in your face guy, or what?
JENKINS: He’s great. He gets everybody going when they need to be going. He knows exactly what stuff to say. He knows how to get everybody pumped up, which is good.
KRIS: Do you work on the substitution packages and nickel stuff too? Are you in on any of that stuff?
JENKINS: No.
KRIS: Special Teams?
JENKINS: No.
KRIS: I used to ask other nose tackles this, but what’s it like being a nose tackle?
JENKINS: I’m sure it’s the same as with any other position. There are a lot of big dudes. Lot of big dudes in there.
KRIS: Some of the field stuff now. What was your first year of school like here? Was it a hard adjustment? Did you enjoy your classes?
JENKINS: I enjoyed classes. It was a little different, you know, a lot more freedom. But the time management aspect was a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be. (laughs)
KRIS: Are you into music, video games, and things like that?
JENKINS: Football. That’s about it. That’s all I can really be into.
KRIS: Who’s your roommate right now in camp?
JENKINS: Matt Conrath .
KRIS: You guys are in the same class. What’s the Cavalier Inn like? Is it pretty comfortable?
JENKINS: My back’s tight. I don’t know of it’s from practice or the beds over there. (laughing)
KRIS: Last year when you came in you had a shaved head. Now you have sort of a mop top.
JENKINS: Yeah, I’m growing it out a little bit. I wanted to braid it up for camp, but didn’t get a chance to. So hopefully I’ll be able to do it before the season starts.
KRIS: I assume you eat a lot of different foods over at the JPJ. What’s your favorite?
JENKINS: Anything and everything. I have to keep my weight up.
KRIS: The nutritionist is helping a lot there?
JENKINS: Definitely. He’s a huge aspect of everything.
KRIS: Do you have a favorite spot on Grounds to just kind of get away from everything?
JENKINS: Right now, it’s the Cav Inn. I don’t know where it’s going to be at in two to three weeks.
KRIS: I know Chris Long was a big Wayside Chicken fan. Do you have a favorite?
JENKINS: I’d have to say Wayside. But like I said earlier, I eat anything and everything so where everybody else wants to eat, I’ll go eat.
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