Why Malik Jenkins is primed for breakout campaign

As a junior, Jenkins recorded 52 tackles, including four tackles for loss, and is favored to become a regular starter in the upcoming season following a spring campaign that drew high praise from his head coach.

Jenkins credits his rise in production to another season of consistency under defensive coordinator David Gibbs.

“With the defensive calls we get we just know what to do; we have a better feel for it, we’re not just robots anymore,” Jenkins said. “We know what we’ve got to do; we know how to mess with people, we know how to disguise and I feel like that’s another good thing about us all playing together. It was kind of a learning year so it’s really cool for all of us to play together this long and now we all know what we’ve got to do; we know how each player plays.”

Kliff Kingsbury had nothing but praise for Jenkins’ efforts, even noting his growth from freshman year to senior year as one of the better individual improvements Kingsbury has witnessed headed into his fourth season coaching the Red Raiders.

“He’s probably the most improved player I’ve seen since I’ve been here throughout his career,” said Kingsbury during spring practices. “He started as a defensive end here in Ennis and has really worked to become a standup-type linebacker. Really over bowl practices I feel like it clicked and then he just picked back up through spring.

“We have him playing all three positions, so he’s been a vital part of that defense and really looks good as a linebacker.”

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder was humbled by the praise of his head coach and continues working to improve his consistency at each position.

“I’d say I’m getting way better at stopping the run, I feel like I am, and just recognizing the different formations,” Jenkins said. “Coverage - I’m getting way better, also, and I always love rushing the quarterback; I played defensive end in high school so it’s kind of natural already, just for them to send me on more blitzes where I can rush the passer - it’s even better.

“Physically, I think that I’m more of a physical player now, I’ve been trying to emphasize on being more physical, getting off blocks, spilling blocks, just all the way around being a better linebacker.””

Jenkins is listed as the starting sam linebacker on the Red Raiders’ post-spring depth chart alongside Dakota Allen and D’Vonta Hinton though Allen was dismissed from the program on Thursday.

Freshman linebacker Jonathan Picone is listed as Allen's backup though Jenkins' ability to play three positions allows the Red Raiders to be creative in any future adjustments.