The Buckeye Battle Cry will be counting down the Top 25 players of the past decade all spring/summer. Every Monday and Thursday, Jim will be announcing a new player. Our #1 player will be presented on Monday, August 30th. Three days later, the 2010 season officially begins. To view the previous entries in our Top 25, click here.
Michael Jenkins (2001-2003)
Michael Jenkins quietly had one of the best receiving careers in Ohio State’s storied history of producing great receivers. It may come as a surprise to many that he is the all-time leader in career receiving yards with 2,898. This mark also stands as eighth best in Big Ten football history.
The offenses that Jenkins played for may have been less than flashy, but that did not prevent him from having one of the most productive receiving careers in Buckeye football history. He gets extra special bonus points for being on the receiving end of Craig Krenzel’s clutch game saving passes more often than not. Two passes in particular come quickly to mind – the 4th and 14* reception in overtime of the national championship game and, of course, Holy Buckeye.
Jenkins was another player in a long line of Buckeyes who chose to return for his senior season rather than bolt for the NFL. Doing so allowed him to pick up Big Ten Conference Honorable Mention honors for his 55 receptions for 834 yards and 7 touchdown final season. It also allowed him to continue his streak of consecutive games with at least one reception, a streak that finally ended at a remarkable 38 games.
Jenkins has gone on to become a solid receiver in the NFL. Drafted 29th in the first round of the 2004 Draft, Jenkins was picked up by the Atlanta Falcons who have held on to him ever since. For their loyalty he has rewarded them with 197 receptions, 2,924 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in his 5 seasons of play. While having not made a pro-bowl during his career to-date he has made his mark as one of the more consistent receiving threats in the league.
In the memories of Buckeye fans, Jenkins stands with some of the best receivers in Buckeye lore. For carrying on the excellent tradition of Buckeye wideouts, for providing memorable images that will last a lifetime, and for continuing to do so in the professional ranks, Michael Jenkins earns the #10 spot in our countdown of the top 25 Buckeyes of the decade.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
