Post-OSU Update: Michael Jenkins was a first-round pick (29th overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2004 NFL Draft. Jenkins played nine years in the NFL, mostly with the Falcons, amassing 354 catches, 4,427 receiving yards, and 25 touchdowns. (updated: Sep. 2022)

Major: Family Resource Management (2003), Business (2001-02)

Weight: 215 (2003), 200 (2000-02)

2003 Media Guide: Michael Jenkins is one of the top receivers in college football and a leading candidate for postseason honors in 2003 … made one clutch catch after another last year, none more dramatic than his game-winning 37-yard touchdown reception on fourth-and-one at Purdue that gave unbeaten Ohio State a 10-6 lead and hard-fought victory with 1:36 to play … Ohio State fans voted that catch as the “Play of the Year” for the Buckeyes in 2002, but his 17-yard sideline grab on fourth-and-14 in the first overtime on the national championship game at the Fiesta Bowl was a close second … his combination of size, speed, and sure, soft hands make him a defender’s nightmare … finished the 2002 season with 61 receptions for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns, all team bests and personal highs, and now ranks sixth in OSU annals in both career receptions (110) and career receiving yardage (2,064) … effortless receiver with the ability to catch the ball in a crowd, often times going up and over would-be-defenders … will be in his third year as a starter and heads into fall with at least one reception in 26-consecutive games … despite his heroics last year, he remains somewhat of an underrated player … nobody better in the clutch.

2002 Season: Was the favorite target of quarterback Craig Krenzel when the game was on the line as it frequently was in 2002 … had two huge receptions at Wisconsin, including a 45-yard grab between two defenders that set up the winning touchdown in a 19-14 Ohio State victory … his 50-yard TD catch at Illinois – on which he fought off a defender and the glare of the TV lights – gave Ohio State its first lead at 13-10 in a 23-16 overtime thriller and was his longest reception of the year … topped the century mark in receiving yards against San Jose State (7/136), Wisconsin (5/114) and Illinois (6/147) … also had seven catches against Indiana … his reception total was the sixth best in OSU history, and his yardage figure ranked fourth … named to a second-team spot on the All-Big Ten team.

2002 Media Guide: Michael Jenkins is in his second year as the starter at split end …rangy target with fine hands … coming off a sensational first year in which he averaged 20.2 yards per catch and 82.3 yards per game … displayed tremendous consistency in his first year as a regular … runs disciplined routes and has the speed to hit the homerun … really came on the second half of the 2001 season as he acquired more and more confidence … has an outstanding work ethic and a desire to excel … still learning, but has enormous potential … should be a candidate for All-Big Ten honors this year if he continues to develop.

2001 Season: Gradually developed into one of the top young receivers in the Big Ten … finished the season with 49 catches for 988 yards and three touchdowns … four 100-yard games, including 172 at Penn State and 152 against South Carolina in the Outback Bowl …had five receptions of 40-or-more yards, including catches of 68 and 66 yards in the Penn State game … top effort in terms of receptions was 10 for 155 yards against Illinois … had a reception in every game … his average of 20.4 yards per reception during the regular season was third in the Big Ten, just two tenths off the lead …his 988 yards rank as the fourth best one-season total in Ohio State history.

2001 Media Guide: Michael Jenkins is a rangy young receiver with good hands and fine speed … coaches like his size and athletic ability … lettered last year as a true freshman … while most of his time came with the special teams, he did see some action at wide receiver … played well in the spring … did not have any receptions last year, but look for that to change this year … has the speed to go deep and gives the Buckeyes a quality player at split end.

2000 Season: Logged a total of 22 minutes … earned his first varsity letter.

High School: Rated as Florida’s No. 22 prospect and the No. 24 best skilled athlete prospect in the nation by SuperPrep … in the Florida Super 75 list by the Jacksonville Times Union, rated as the No. 2 athlete in the state … as a senior, rotated between running back, receiver and linebacker … carried the ball 60 times for 600 yards and also had 20 receptions for 300 yards … as a junior, had 26 receptions for 480 yards and 11 touchdowns … also totaled 88 tackles, four fumble recoveries and four interceptions on defense.

Personal: Parents are Geri and Michael Jenkins … born June 18, 1982.