Justin Jenkins has aspirations of one day being a football coach and teacher back in his hometown of Pearl. But right now, his sights are on his last season as a Mississippi State Bulldog.
So far, he’s produced more than ever: 15 catches for 225 yards and three touchdowns. He ranks second in the SEC in catches and receiving touchdowns.
“I think I’ve done a good job. I still made a couple of mistakes Saturday,” Jenkins said. “A lot of people see the catches and touchdowns, but there’s always room for improvement. What I want to do is come out and practice hard every day and keep doing the little things so that I won’t have any flaws in my game.”
“Justin has gotten better and better every day,” head coach Jackie Sherrill said. “I said that after spring practice that he had moved up to being a Southeastern Conference receiver.
“One, he has speed. Two, he can make plays. He is a kid who just goes to work and gives you everything on game day,” Sherrill continued. “It’s up to him to perform at that level every game.”
The senior is becoming a playmaker while remaining a quiet, but focused, leader.
Jenkins led the MSU receivers with 164 yards on nine receptions for an 18-yard average Saturday night in the Bulldogs 31-28 loss at Tulane.
Jenkins says that the team’s confidence level is high going into Houston.
“The confidence is still pretty high. In those games (Tulane and Oregon) we were in good positions to win. We had a good practice Monday. Coach said it’s the best practice we ever had. I think that was a big positive. Especially after losing two heartbreakers like that.”
The chemistry between a receiver and his quarterback is a big part of becoming a successful tandem and is something that Kevin Fant and Jenkins have worked on since day one.
“We have a good relationship. Kevin and I came together in ’99 and we’ve been close ever since. I was with Kevin when he was having problems early in the spring,” Jenkins said. “I think he has a lot of confidence in me to make plays and I have confidence in him to give me the ball. But at the same time off the field we are great friends. He’s my guy.”
In addition to cracking MSU’s top 10 in receptions, yards, and touchdowns this season, Jenkins has been named to the SEC Good Works Team for his volunteer efforts in elementary school reading programs and anti-drug and alcohol work at the Boys Club.
“This is a team that wants to win and we have a coach that wants to win,” Jenkins said. “We are going to come out fighting. It’s only two games. We have 10 more.”