Jenkins keeps MGCCC Bulldog legacy going at Senior Bowl

Detroit Lions defensive line coach Kris Koucurek watches as Former MGCCC Bulldog Jonathan Jenkins works through an agility drill at 2013 Senior Bowl Practice Jan. 24.

MOBILE---When you mention the name “Gulf Coast” at the Senior Bowl, people know exactly what college you’re talking about. For the fourth straight year, a former Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College standout player is suited up at the annual event.

This week former Bulldog Jonathan Jenkins is impressing NFL scouts along the defensive line for the South Squad. Jenkins, a 6-3, 349 pound nose guard, played his last two seasons at Georgia and joins Vick Ballard (Miss. St.), Chris White (Miss. St.), and Terrence Cody (Alabama) as MGCCC alums that get a chance to perform in front of NFL coaches and scouts. Cody, White, and Ballard are all now playing on Sundays, and Jenkins is preparing to be the next one suiting up for an NFL team.

“From day one, when I got to Gulf Coast I was on a mission to try and get better and not get lost in the shuffle,” said Jenkins, who came to Gulf Coast in 2009, was a 2010 NJCAA All-American, and helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2010 MACJC Title. “I had a great coaching staff and we did a tremendous amount of preparation for games. I’m blessed to be part of that organization.”

With Jenkins heading to the next level, Georgia is hoping another former MGCCC Bulldog, nose guard Chris Mayes, can fill his shoes in Athens. Mayes played at Gulf Coast in 2011 and should compete for playing time at Georgia this fall.

“We’ve got the players at Gulf Coast,” Jenkins added. “We’ve got them coming in, and we’ve got them going off to big schools.”

Meanwhile Senior Bowl week has been big for Jenkins, a player many have projected to be a first or second round draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft this spring.

“Around here, everybody is good,” Jenkins said. “Everybody deserves to be here. I’m among the best athletes in the country. It’s been a great experience for me.”

He will be drafted as a defensive lineman, but Jenkins also wants NFL scouts to know he can play offense if needed. After all, he actually played running back a la William “The Refrigerator” Perry on short yardage and goal line situations while at Gulf Coast. He even scored a rushing touchdown in the 2010 Mississippi Bowl.

“I proved myself at Gulf Coast that I was able to run the football,” said Jenkins with a grin.