photo courtesy of Liberty University

Update: Click here to view Rashad Jenning’s 2009 stats as he transitions to the NFL.

HB Rashad Jennings, of Liberty, was drafted by the Jaguars with pick 250. He was not even picked in the alloted 7 rounds of the NFL Draft. He was selected with a compensatory selection that teams receive after experiencing a net loss in free agency the year prior. His pick was 9 picks after the 7th round. Was this his value? Does he even possess the skills worthy of a realistic shot at making the Jaguars roster?

Rashad Jennings was originally the starting HB at Pittsburgh. He only played there during his freshman season, but he managed to rush for 411 yards on 86 attempts with a long of 31 and a lone TD. He averaged an amazing 4.8 yards a carry during that span. Rashad’s first game was against historic Notre Dame. They lost 42-21 but he still managed 29 yards on only 7 carries (4.1 ypa). Highlights of that season include 11 carries for 102 yards against Cincinnati. He ran for 70 yards on 12 attempts (5.8 ypa) against Louisville–who finished 9-3 in 2005. He later ran for 69 yards on 13 attempts (5.3 ypa) at West Virginia–who finished11-1 in 2005. Rashad proved that year, that when given the opportunity, he could run with the big boys.

That would be his only season at Pitt. His father was diagnosed with diabetes and had to have a leg amputated. Jennings, being the good man that he is, transferred to nearby Liberty University so that he could help take care of his father. It truly is a great story. Jennings was willing to sacrifice playing at a major college program. A sacrifice that reduced his exposure and caused him to get drafted in the 7th round as opposed to the 2nd–where Pittsburgh HB LeSean McCoy was drafted this year. Jennings is a true man for swallowing that pill willingly, but he played his heart out. This was noticed by his teammates and he found himself elected to be an offensive team captain.

In Jennings’ senior season at Liberty, he ran for 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns. His career totals at Liberty are as follows: 4,051 yards, 42 TD’s, no fumbles, and 22 games of over 100-yards rushing.

Jennings stands 6′1″ and weighs 231 lb.s. He has only 5% body fat. At the NFL Combine, where top players are annually invited to perform drills in front of teams, Jennings ran a slow 40-yard dash at 4.67 seconds. He bench-pressed 225 lb.s 29 times. This was the second most for RB’s. His vertical jump was 34″ and his broad jump was 10′. He also turned in a 6.86 second time at the 3-cone drill, good enough for 5th best among RB’s. He had a 4.20 second time in the 20-yard shuttle and an 11.46 time in the 60-yard shuttle. He is a power back the proved himself on the field and at the combine. He is not the type of back that runs flashy in t-shirt workouts, he just runs guys over on the field. Sports Illustrated’s on-line draft section had him graded as a second/third round pick.

When new Jaguars GM, Gene Smith, saw that Jennings was still on the board, he had to be pleased. Smith looks for two things: 1) Character and 2) Production. Jennings, as you can tell from the above read, has both and he joins a rookie class full of former team captains.When life is too big, Jennings keeps humble and looks to God for the answer. In today’s NFL, where ego’s and paychecks come first, Jennings is refreshing. He is a guy worth rooting for.

Jennings enters a backfield in Jacksonville that will have a new look in 2009. Long-time great Fred Taylor was let go in free agency so that 4th-year back Maurice Jones-Drew could be the feature back. Jones-Drew is a touchdown vulture with 38 in his 3-year career. FB Greg Jones was a star at Florida State and the plan was for Jones to see 10-15 touches a game. The Jaguars have one more fullback in Montell Owens who has made a name for himself on Special Teams and received a contract this spring making him a lock to be around for a while. Other back-ups include Alvin Pearman and Chauncey Washington. Pearman was re-signed late last season once injuries hit the Jaguars. He was re-signed for depth but managed to catch a TD pass in week 17 against the Ravens. Washington was active late last season (his rookie year) but never managed to do anything worth reporting. He looked good in the pre-season, whatever that is worth to you. Can Jennings find his way up the line-up and eventually keep Greg Jones at FB? Will he be “that guy” from 2009 that teams are sorry they passed on? I believe so. It may not be 2009, but remember his name. When some draft “experts” slate you anywhere from the late 2nd round to the early 5th round and you get drafted in the 7th, you have a chip on your shoulder.

Watch his JR/SR college highlights here.

-Brandon Clark

Tags: Jaguars, Liberty, Rashad Jennings

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