Former Tennessee football defensive end Jayson Jenkins is set to rejoin the SEC. After beginning his career with the Vols, then transferring to Florida State for one season, Jenkins re-entered the transfer portal. Just a few days after it opened, he has committed to Mississippi State for his final year of eligibility, according to On3.
Even with the new nine-game conference schedule, Tennessee will not play the Bulldogs next year. With Jenkins playing his final season, unless he earns a medical redshirt or another outside circumstance happens, he will not play against the Vols.
This past season, Jenkins started in five games while producing 17 tackles, five of which were solo, and a sack. According to PFF, he was given a solid 60.9 grade on the season through his 275 snaps over 12 games.
BREAKING: Florida State transfer DL Jayson Jenkins has committed to Mississippi State🐶https://t.co/kSYG7dYADj pic.twitter.com/3O0dbk9NGg
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) January 5, 2026
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Florida State finished the season with a 5-7 record despite beating Alabama in the opening game of the season. Also on the Seminoles this season were former Vols wide receiver Squirrel White and linebacker Elijah Herring.
Jenkins was a rotational piece in his career at Tennessee, but played a decent role on the Vols’ vaunted 2024 defensive line. Behind Dominic Bailey and Tyre West, he played in all 13 games while contributing 3.5 TFLs and two sacks. That season resulted in a loss to Ohio State in the opening round of the College Football Playoffs.
In 2023, as a redshirt freshman, Jenkins played in six games and only sparingly got in the mix. He produced four tackles and one tackle for loss. As a true freshman in 2022, he played just one game.
Jenkins was considered a three-star recruit out of high school by 247. Out of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, he was the No. 183 defensive lineman and No. 29 player from New Jersey in his class. Now, in the 2025 transfer rankings, he is considered a four-star and the No. 135 player in the portal to this point by 247.
