Anfernee Jennings

Last updated

Anfernee Jennings
No. 33 – New England Patriots
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1997-05-01) May 1, 1997 (age 27)
Dadeville, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:Dadeville
College: Alabama (2015–2019)
NFL draft: 2020  / Round: 3 / Pick: 87
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:112
Sacks:3.0
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:1
Pass deflections:2
Player stats at PFR

Anfernee Jennings (born May 1, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama.

Contents

Early life

Jennings grew up in Dadeville, Alabama and attended Dadeville High School, where he played defensive end and tight end for the Tigers. He made 171 tackles with seven sacks in his junior season and was named honorable mention Super All-State by AL.com . [1] [2] As a senior, Jennings was named first-team 4A All-State and the 4A Lineman of the Year after posting 170 tackles with 88 solo stops, 14 sacks, nine pass breakups and two forced fumbles. [3] [4] Rated a four-star recruit, Jennings committed to play college football at Alabama over offers from Arkansas, Arizona State, Georgia, Mississippi State and Nebraska. [5]

College career

Jennings redshirted his true freshman season as he moved from defensive end to the outside linebacker position. He played as a key reserve as a redshirt freshman, finishing the year with 19 tackles (two for loss) and three quarterback hurries. [6] Jennings became a starter during redshirt sophomore season and made 41 tackles, six for a loss, with one sack. [7] Jennings suffered what was initially diagnosed to be a PCL injury in the final minutes of the 2018 Sugar Bowl against Clemson, causing him to miss the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. The injury was re-evaluated and Jennings was found to have also damaged an artery and developed a blood clot in his leg. [8]

Jennings returned from his injury in time to begin his redshirt junior season. He finished the year with 51 tackles, including 14 for loss, 6.5 sacks, with an interception, a team-high 11 passes defended and two fumble recoveries (one of which was returned for his first career touchdown). [9] Jennings entered his redshirt senior season on the Chuck Bednarik Award and Butkus Award watchlists and was named pre-season All-SEC and a second-team pre-season All-American by the Sporting News . [10] Jennings had 83 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, five pass breakups, one forced fumble and an interception and was named first-team All-SEC in his final season. [11] Jennings finished his collegiate career with 194 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and 20 passes defended in 54 games (38 starts). [12]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span
6 ft 2+1⁄8 in
(1.88 m)		256 lb
(116 kg)		32+7⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)
All values from NFL Combine [13]

In the 2020 NFL draft, Jennings was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round with the 87th overall pick. [14] He made his NFL debut in the season opener on September 13, 2020, against the Miami Dolphins, playing nine snaps on defense in a 21–11 win. [15] Jennings made his first career start on October 18, 2020, recording three tackles in a 18–12 loss to the Denver Broncos. [16]

On August 31, 2021, Jennings was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. [17]

Jennings entered the 2022 season as a backup linebacker. He played in 16 games with three starts, recording 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble.

On March 15, 2024, Jennings signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension with the Patriots. [18]

Personal life

Jennings' younger brother, Shawndarius "Shawn" Jennings, also plays college football and originally played at Alabama with Anfernee before transferring to South Alabama. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adalius Thomas</span> American football player (born 1977)

Adalius Donquail Thomas is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, and also played for the NFL's New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerod Mayo</span> American football player and coach (born 1986)

Jerod Mayo Sr. is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played with the Patriots for eight seasons. Mayo played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and was selected by the Patriots tenth overall in the 2008 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dont'a Hightower</span> American football player (born 1990)

Qualin Dont'a Hightower is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the inside linebackers coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played in the NFL for nine seasons with the Patriots. Hightower played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, receiving consensus All-American honors and winning two BCS National Championships. Selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Patriots, he was named to two Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowl titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Hicks</span> American football player (born 1992)

Jordan Hicks is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring in 2018, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Courtney Upshaw</span> American football player (born 1989)

Courtney Tremaine Upshaw is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, earning first-team All-American honors in 2011. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Mosley (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1992)

Clint Mosley Jr. is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Mosley made 4 Pro Bowls as a member of the Ravens, and has made another as a member of the Jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Van Noy</span> American football player (born 1991)

Kyle Van Noy is an American professional football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Van Noy played college football at BYU. He was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, with whom he spent his first three seasons. Van Noy played his next four seasons for the New England Patriots, where he won Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII. Following a year as a member of the Miami Dolphins, he rejoined New England in 2021. Van Noy signed with the Los Angeles Chargers the following season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Collins (American football)</span> American football player (born 1989)

Jamie Lee Collins Sr. is an American former football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons, primarily with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. As a member of the Patriots for seven non-consecutive seasons, Collins earned Pro Bowl honors in 2015 when he led the league in forced fumbles and also won Super Bowl XLIX. Outside of his New England tenure, he played three seasons with the Cleveland Browns and two with the Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dee Ford</span> American football player (born 1991)

Donald “Dee” Ford is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie Ragland</span> American football player (born 1993)

Reggie Keith Ragland Jr. is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Alabama, winning two national championships. He was then drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. In 2016, he missed his rookie season after being placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL. During the 2017 season, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a fourth round pick in the 2019 draft. On January 6, 2018, Ragland started his first career playoff game, registering nine tackles during the team's 22–21 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Two years later he won his first Super Bowl, recording two tackles when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shilique Calhoun</span> American football player (born 1992)

Shilique Calhoun is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Michigan State, and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round in the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Cunningham</span> American football player (born 1994)

Zachary Daniel Cunningham is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Vanderbilt and was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Houston Texans. He also played for the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Anderson (linebacker)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Ryan Anderson is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Alabama and was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quinnen Williams</span> American football player (born 1997)

Quinnen Williams is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was drafted by the Jets with the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He is the younger brother of his Jets teammate, linebacker Quincy Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mack Wilson</span> American football player (born 1998)

Lyndell Santrell "Mack" Wilson Sr. is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E. J. Speed</span> American football player (born 1995)

Elbert Martin "E. J." Speed is an American professional football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Tarleton State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrell Lewis (American football)</span> American football player (born 1998)

Terrell Lewis is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama.

Jonathan Raymond Greenard is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisville and Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Wilson</span> American football player (born 1996)

Logan Wilson is an American professional football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wyoming and was selected by the Bengals in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Christian Barmore is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ Sinor, Wesley (March 4, 2014). "Dadeville DE Anfernee Jennings hoping Auburn comes aboard after picking up Alabama offer (video)". AL.com . Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  2. ↑ Bean, Josh (December 22, 2013). "Meet the 2013 AL.com Super All-State Football Team (photos)". AL.com. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  3. ↑ Hill, Jordan D. (October 13, 2019). "Local Legends: Dadeville's Anfernee Jennings leads Alabama defense in victory". Opelika-Auburn News . Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  4. ↑ Hewitt, Trevor (January 14, 2015). "Jennings named 4A Lineman of the year in Alabama". 247Sports.com . Retrieved November 2, 2019.[ dead link ]
  5. ↑ Kirkpatrick, Cliff (March 8, 2014). "Alabama football: Dadeville's Anfernee Jennings commits to Tide". Montgomery Advertiser . Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  6. ↑ Arbogast, Lizi (August 12, 2017). "Anfernee Jennings hopes to be starting LB for Alabama". Alexander City Outlook . Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  7. ↑ Stuttles, Aaron (July 31, 2018). "Alabama counting on healthy Anfernee Jennings to elevate linebacking corps". The Athletic. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  8. ↑ Zenitz, Mark (August 29, 2018). "How Alabama medical team and a fan saved a star player's leg". AL.com. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  9. ↑ Walsh, Christopher (August 28, 2019). "Sans Dylan Moses, Alabama will have to rely a lot more on players like Anfernee Jennings". SI.com . Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  10. ↑ Williams, Cliff (July 24, 2019). "Anfernee Jennings earns another watch list honor". Alexander City Outlook. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  11. ↑ Potter, Charlie (January 25, 2020). "Anfernee Jennings wants 'to show what I've got' in Senior Bowl". 247Sports.com. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  12. ↑ Fox, Zach (April 27, 2020). "Analyzing Patriots' 2020 Draft Class By The Numbers: What We Can Learn". NESN.com . Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Anfernee Jennings Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  14. ↑ Clements, Devon (April 25, 2020). "Patriots Select Alabama LB Anfernee Jennings in 3rd Round". Sports Illustrated New England Patriots News, Analysis and More. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  15. ↑ Clements, Devon (September 16, 2020). "Analyzing Patriots' PFF Grades After Week 1". SI.com . Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  16. ↑ O'Malley, Nick (October 23, 2020). "Dont'a Hightower still mentoring Patriots rookie LB Anfernee Jennings even after opting out of season". MassLive . Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach 53-Man Roster Limit; Acquire OL Yasir Durant in a Trade with Kansas City". Patriots.com. September 1, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Patriots Announce Four Signings". Patriots.com. March 15, 2024.
  19. ↑ Stephenson, Creg (June 21, 2017). "Alabama transfer Shawn Jennings lands at South Alabama". AL.com. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.