UCF’s linebacker room has a familiar face in 2026, but the name on the back of the jersey has changed.
Formerly Jayden McDonald, Jennings is now listed under the surname he and his twin brother, Jorden, chose to take on as a gift to their mother, Sharon Jennings, and their maternal grandparents. Jorden wrapped up his own college career last season as an outside linebacker at William & Mary. Jayden said after an April 28 practice that the change was deeply personal.
Growing up, he said Sharon worked “a lot of jobs” to provide for him and his brother, and that meant the twins were often in “a lot of after-school programs” or staying with their grandparents. Their father would “come in every now and again,” but Jennings made it clear who carried the load in raising them.
“It meant a lot,” Jennings said. “It seemed like it meant a lot more to her. She was very happy, and my grandparents was very happy as well.”
On the field, Jennings is trying to build on a first season at UCF that was cut short by injury. After transferring from Virginia Tech, he appeared in nine games and made two starts before the setback ended his 2025 campaign. Even in limited action, he logged 15 total tackles, including nine solo stops, along with a fumble recovery, a pass breakup and an interception.
UCF linebacker coach Mark D'Onofrio saw enough in those snaps to know Jennings can help.
“When he came in the game, he had productive reps; he had meaningful tackles in situations,” UCF linebacker coach Mark D'Onofrio said after an April 28 practice session.
D'Onofrio also said Jennings had a “really good job” in spring practice while focusing on getting healthy. The coach pointed to his mindset and versatility as strengths.
That versatility matters because the competition around him is crowded. Lewis Carter has one starting job locked down as one of the team’s leaders, while Arthur Kingdom and transfers Jahleel Culbreath, Tackett Curtis and Rashad Henry are all in the mix for the other spot. Culbreath arrives after starting the full season at Old Dominion, Henry earned a starting role late last season at UMass, and Kingdom brings professional experience in Europe.
Jennings does have one edge: he already knows D'Onofrio’s system. But if he wants to win a starting role, staying healthy is the big requirement. Even if the job goes to someone else, his ability to line up in multiple spots should keep him in the rotation for D'Onofrio and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
As long as he’s healthy, Jennings looks set to have a real role for UCF in 2026.
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