How’d TCU land a cornerback from Virginia? The Alamo Bowl comeback and … speed, baby
Keontae Jenkins became enamored with TCU the moment it rallied from a 31-point deficit to defeat Oregon in the Alamo Bowl to cap off the 2015 season.
He then started researching the program, learning the ins and outs as best he could about Gary Patterson’s signature 4-2-5 defense. Once he dove in, he became hooked.
Jenkins, even though he grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, about 1,400 miles away from Fort Worth, knew TCU would be his top choice to play at the next level.
The marriage will come to fruition on Wednesday when Jenkins signs his national letter of intent.
“I’m rock solid,” said Jenkins, who had a standout career at Cox High in Virginia Beach.
“I can’t wait to sign.”
Recruits are able to sign their letters of intent starting Wednesday through Friday as part of the early signing period. After that, the traditional signing period starts Feb. 5, the first Wednesday of February.
Jenkins is one of four 4-star prospects committed to TCU’s 2020 class, along with Athens offensive tackle Garrett Hayes, Temple wide receiver Quentin Johnston and John Ehret (Marrero, Louisiana) High defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins.
TCU has 14 solid commits at this point, according to 247Sports, including seven out-of-state players. Keontae Jenkins is one of those players, of course, along with another Virginian in three-star offensive lineman Altrique Barlow.
Jenkins and Barlow are both expected to sign on Wednesday, and then will take part in a signing day ceremony and photo opportunity at their schools on Thursday.
But Jenkins made it clear that his paperwork will be coming in on Wednesday.
“I’m sending it in when I can,” Jenkins said.
Finding non-Texans is something Patterson and his staff have embraced over the years. TCU has become a big-name football program across the country, and Jenkins is an example of how far that reach has grown.
After all, he vividly recalled the remarkable comeback in the Alamo Bowl and has seen the different cornerbacks TCU has produced such as Jason Verrett and Jeff Gladney.
“I’m a student of the game,” said Jenkins, whose primary recruiter was TCU cornerbacks coach Jeremy Modkins.
“I like how Coach P recruits. He recruits all speed, whereas a lot of colleges recruit based on size. He recruits on speed. He doesn’t care how big you are, as long as you can ball, that’s all that matters. Jason Verrett [a 5-foot-10 corner] went in the first round, and then we’ve got Jeff Gladney, who’s another great corner.
“I like the defense a lot.”
Jenkins, who is 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, will join the program in June. He’d like to add about 10 pounds in muscle and compete for snaps as early as next season.
The Horned Frogs secondary should have opportunities with starting cornerbacks Gladney and Julius Lewis graduating, as well as reserve Keenan Reed. But the team does have returners who started at times this season in freshmen Kee’yon Stewart and Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson.
Jenkins feels he projects best as an outside corner, although has the versatility to line up as the nickel corner too.
“I’d describe myself as very diverse,” said Jenkins, who is the younger brother of Florida State defensive back Levonta Taylor.
“I can play press. I can play man. I can play off man. I can run with anybody. I can play nickel. I can return kicks too.”
With all that said, TCU is excited about landing Jenkins.
Horned Frog Blitz publisher and recruiting expert Jeremy Clark compared Jenkins to former TCU standout cornerback Ranthony Texada.
“With the way TCU plays its corners on an island, Jenkins certainly fits that concept as a guy that has excellent cover skills and 4.42 speed to boot,” Clark said. “He has excellent change of direction. Jenkins is a guy I can see adding immediate depth in the same way Stewart and Hodges-Tomlinson did their freshman season.”
Out-of-state numbers
A look at out-of-state players committed to TCU
▪ CB Keontae Jenkins, 4-star prospect, Frank W. Cox High (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
▪ DT Patrick Jenkins, 4-star prospect, John Ehret High (Marrero, Louisiana)
▪ OL Altrique Barlow, 3-star prospect, Catholic High (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
▪ RB Dominic Richardson, 3-star prospect, Bishop McGuinness (Oklahoma City)
▪ ATH Jimmy Holiday, 3-star prospect, Madison Central (Madison, Mississippi)
▪ QB Eli Williams, 3-star prospect, Sapulpa High (Sapulpa, Oklahoma)
▪ WR Blake Nowell, 3-star prospect, Plainview High School (Ardmore, Oklahoma)
This story was originally published December 17, 2019 at 6:00 AM.
