WR Jaray Jenkins snubs NFL Draft, returning to LSU
LSU wide receiver Jaray Jenkins is returning to the Tigers for the 2022 season, he announced on Twitter on Monday, the final day to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. The Jena, La. native snubbed the NFL and wanted one more crack at playing for the Tigers.
New head coach Brian Kelly and his staff were able to shift things back in favor of Jenkins returning to LSU after signs were pointing toward Jenkins departing for the professional ranks.
As a starter for the Tigers in 2021, Jenkins finished with 34 catches for 502 yards and six touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown in the regular season finale win over Texas A&M. Jenkins entered the 2021 season with 28 career receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2020, the sophomore appeared in all 10 games with seven starts, finishing fourth on team with 23 receptions for 397 yards and two touchdowns. During LSU’s National Championship run in 2019, Jenkins appeared in seven games and caught five balls for 67 yards.
According to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Jenkins was the No. 98 overall wide receiver in the nation and No. 19 overall prospect in Louisiana in the 2018 recruiting class.
It’s a retooled roster for Kelly in 2022 as transfers have been a priority, but the wide receiver room looks like it’ll be among the deepest positions on the team. Star wideout Kayshon Boutte along with young talent like Jack Bech, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas, Jr. and Chris Hilton, Jr. return to the team. LSU is trying to hold onto Deion Smith, who entered the NCAA Transfer Portal in December, but did sign a wideout in the 2022 class with Landon Ibieta inking with the Tigers.
LSU’s staff has added nine transfers into the fold to shore up the roster, and more are on the way. So far, Florida International offensive lineman Miles Frazier, East Carolina long snapper Slade Roy, Arkansas safety Joe Foucha, Arkansas defensive back Greg Brooks, Louisiana defensive back Mekhi Garner, Notre Dame punter Jay Bramblett, Virginia linebacker West Weeks, Penn State running back Noah Cain and Louisiana wide receiver Kyren Lacy have all pledged to transfer to LSU.
