2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Brian Jenkins, WR, Olivet Nazarene University

• Name: Brian Jenkins 
• Position: Wide receiver 
• College: Olivet Nazarene University 
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 208
• Twitter: @Brianjenkins5B
• Instagram: Brianjenkins.15

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

◦ What makes me a top prospect at my position is being a coachable player. Always wanting to learn and get better at what I do. I have the drive to win and compete. Any team can use me from the outside or slot in their offense. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

◦ I started playing football at 5 years old. I was doing flag football and then played for our local 56ers at a young age. Football has taught me a lot growing up so that’s why I’ve been interested because it teaches you lots of things in different aspect whether on/off the field.  

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

◦ They should know that I am an open minded person.  I like to work on the weaknesses of my game to perfect it. I am known for leading by example, but can lead vocally. I am also a person who is willing to do whatever it takes to become better on and off the field. Whether it is film study, after practice work, in the community, weight room, etc. you will get the best of of me. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

◦ One cause I would donate to in this world would be the homeless. I would love to help anyone that is in need. I feel that we should give people the opportunity to help get them back onto their feet no matter the cause or circumstance of the situation. One big goal of mines is to start building homeless shelters to help people get back on the right track with their lives because I believe everyone deserves a second chance. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

◦ The best advice I have ever received was from my mother. She told me at a young age that no matter how people treat you, always show them love in return because you may not know what’s going on behind closed doors. 

Who was your childhood hero? 

◦ My childhood hero would definitely be my mother. She is the true definition of tough love and sacrifice. Her being a single mother of 4 kids showed the strength she had for all of us and made sacrifices for us to be in a better situation for life. 

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

◦ The most underrated teammate I would say is Ryan Morrison-Gravenberg (#6). He is a true definition of head down and hard work. It got him where he needed to be on this team . A true leader in our receiver group. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

◦ My biggest pet peeve is when someone is talking over somebody that is trying to explain whatever the topic is. That is a sign of disrespect to me so that has to be my number 1 pet peeve. 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

◦ Adversity I had to overcome was a passing in my family. This family member was very close to us and that was my first funeral I’ve ever been to. For quite a while at a young age it wasn’t the best mentally, but having other family, especially my granny, to help guide and support me kept me knowing that he is still with us. This built my character because having that support system helped me support my younger siblings or close friends with any adversity they had gong on. The importance of a support system guided me to be where I am today. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

◦ Olivet is a private Christian university. Coming from a high school that was public, attending Olivet was very different, but not difficult to figure out. I’ve made my closest friends here and have received a good education studying Sport Management with a minor in Business. Olivet is special to me because it helped turn my focus onto God more than it was before attending. I turned to him during my freshman year not wanting to be at Olivet at the beginning because it was different, but he had a different calling for me that made me trust in him. 

What is your favorite snack food?

◦ My favorite snack would be the Smartfood White cheddar popcorn. 

What is the best part of football?

◦ For me personally the best part of football would be fall camp. The reason for this is because you get to see how everyone has improved over the summer and you get to bond even closer as you head into the season. Once you build that family during the month together, you build that trust system that gets everyone saying “I got you back”. You play better as a team when you trust one another. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

◦ My name is Brian Jenkins and I am passionate, goal-driven, disciplined, and ambitious about what I do on and off the field. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

◦ If I could compare my play to someone in the NFL I would say Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The way he read the zones and finds his way to get open is something I’ve done well in the past years of playing at Olivet. He is good at getting yards after the catch and I feel I’m the same way. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

◦ Michael Jackson, Martin Lawrence , and Peyton Manning. I was raised in the Merrillville/Gary Indiana area and Michael was born there so that would be a cool setting to be in with him. He is one of a kind and to have someone big as him from the town you were raised in would be a blessing to share dinner with. Martin Lawrence because I loved watching his show Martin with my homeboy. The best times to watch his show were late nights because they seemed funnier. Peyton manning because my dad and I have been Colts fans since he started playing there. I’ve liked Peyton because of how he lead the team and didn’t let adversity keep him away from being himself. He is one of the great quarterbacks to step on the field so dinner with him will not only create friendship, but help elevate my game from a mental aspect.