MustangGT
Flats Noob
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- Apr 9, 2007
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The Jackets are looking great in ’08 with a pair of very talented Wide Receiver prospects in A.J. Jenkins and Chris Jackson. So without further a due, here is a two for one analysis on our newest Yellow Jackets.
A.J. Jenkins
WR | 6'0" 170
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
School: Terry Parker High School
ESPN Grade: 80
Evaluation: This kid is a playmaker. Jenkins is a big play vertical threat with a lot of upside to become a threat in every area of the field. He has good deep speed and initial quickness and he gets on top of the defender a lot quicker than you might think. He can accelerate after the catch and he has a legitimate second gear. His hands are excellent and he can snatch the ball away from his body and he is really effective on the high ball and he will track the vertical ball. Shows great body control and awareness of the defender while the ball is in the air. He is very smooth in running his routes although he needs to improve his recognition skills and become more consistent as a route runner. Has the physical tools to be great in this area. Is elusive as a runner. Can be a homerun threat after the catch. Shows some wiggle and burst in the open field. As you watch Jenkins, he has a little hitch in his giddy-up and appears like he is hurt sometimes, but you learn it is just his running style, but there are more smooth and fluid receivers than Jenkins. However, he is as competitive as you will find, he has good speed as he attacks the ball. Makes plays all over the field. Excellent prospect.
Chris Jackson
ATH | 6'0" 187
Hometown: McDonough, GA
School: Henry County High School
ESPN Grade: 80
Evaluation: Jackson is one of the better players in the southeast that no one is talking about and while he is being recruited primarily as a wide receiver, we think his best position is safety and we have seen few, if any players in this class get to the sideline from the high point or off the hash like he does. He has a great frame and is a good looking athlete. Displays range and athleticism and he can run. Has long arms. He has outstanding anticipation and play making skills. He has the versatility to do a lot of things in coverage. He has very good reactive athleticism and playing speed. In the passing game, he has the ability to match-up on slot receivers in sub-package sets. He has good range and can cover a lot of ground down the field in deep zones. He takes good downfield angles and can separate the ball from WRs. Shows good leaping ability and very good hands. He times his breaks and jumps extremely well. Can press slot receivers. Has the feet and hips to turn and run. He has good short area closing speed and the ability to match-up in man situations when dropping down in the box. He is instinctive with very good zone awareness. All of his instinctive traits are evident at WR as well, but he is a raw route runner that gets by on athleticism at this level. Isn't a true burner, but his play speed and acceleration is fast. Could easily play either spot and develop into an impact player in college. Excellent prospect that has high ceiling for development.
A.J. and Chris are two very talented Wide Receiver prospects that have always seemed a little underrated to me on the Scout and Rivals websites. However, ESPN has taken immediate notice of them. With an ESPN grade of 80, these two lead a very talented group recruits in 08 for the Jackets. For those who do not know, a grade of 80 is defined as:
Outstanding Prospect
Player has the ability to create mismatches against most opponents. He is a player that could be a contributor as a true freshman.
This makes three 80+ players for the jackets over the last two classes:
Chris Jackson
A.J. Jenkins
Jonathan Dwyer
** A.J. has been mentioned to break into the ESPN 150
A.J. Jenkins
WR | 6'0" 170
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
School: Terry Parker High School
ESPN Grade: 80
Evaluation: This kid is a playmaker. Jenkins is a big play vertical threat with a lot of upside to become a threat in every area of the field. He has good deep speed and initial quickness and he gets on top of the defender a lot quicker than you might think. He can accelerate after the catch and he has a legitimate second gear. His hands are excellent and he can snatch the ball away from his body and he is really effective on the high ball and he will track the vertical ball. Shows great body control and awareness of the defender while the ball is in the air. He is very smooth in running his routes although he needs to improve his recognition skills and become more consistent as a route runner. Has the physical tools to be great in this area. Is elusive as a runner. Can be a homerun threat after the catch. Shows some wiggle and burst in the open field. As you watch Jenkins, he has a little hitch in his giddy-up and appears like he is hurt sometimes, but you learn it is just his running style, but there are more smooth and fluid receivers than Jenkins. However, he is as competitive as you will find, he has good speed as he attacks the ball. Makes plays all over the field. Excellent prospect.
Chris Jackson
ATH | 6'0" 187
Hometown: McDonough, GA
School: Henry County High School
ESPN Grade: 80
Evaluation: Jackson is one of the better players in the southeast that no one is talking about and while he is being recruited primarily as a wide receiver, we think his best position is safety and we have seen few, if any players in this class get to the sideline from the high point or off the hash like he does. He has a great frame and is a good looking athlete. Displays range and athleticism and he can run. Has long arms. He has outstanding anticipation and play making skills. He has the versatility to do a lot of things in coverage. He has very good reactive athleticism and playing speed. In the passing game, he has the ability to match-up on slot receivers in sub-package sets. He has good range and can cover a lot of ground down the field in deep zones. He takes good downfield angles and can separate the ball from WRs. Shows good leaping ability and very good hands. He times his breaks and jumps extremely well. Can press slot receivers. Has the feet and hips to turn and run. He has good short area closing speed and the ability to match-up in man situations when dropping down in the box. He is instinctive with very good zone awareness. All of his instinctive traits are evident at WR as well, but he is a raw route runner that gets by on athleticism at this level. Isn't a true burner, but his play speed and acceleration is fast. Could easily play either spot and develop into an impact player in college. Excellent prospect that has high ceiling for development.
A.J. and Chris are two very talented Wide Receiver prospects that have always seemed a little underrated to me on the Scout and Rivals websites. However, ESPN has taken immediate notice of them. With an ESPN grade of 80, these two lead a very talented group recruits in 08 for the Jackets. For those who do not know, a grade of 80 is defined as:
Outstanding Prospect
Player has the ability to create mismatches against most opponents. He is a player that could be a contributor as a true freshman.
This makes three 80+ players for the jackets over the last two classes:
Chris Jackson
A.J. Jenkins
Jonathan Dwyer
** A.J. has been mentioned to break into the ESPN 150