Florida State defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins is on the move again, entering the transfer portal after just one season in Tallahassee.
The 6-foot-6, 276-pound defensive lineman came to FSU as a high-profile addition from Tennessee, expected to be a key piece in Tony White’s hybrid defensive scheme. But things never quite clicked the way the Seminoles had hoped. An offseason injury set Jenkins back early, and while he logged nearly 300 snaps over the course of the season, he struggled to find consistent footing in the rotation.
Jenkins did earn five starts, showing flashes of the raw physical tools that made him an intriguing transfer target in the first place. But as the season wore on, Florida State leaned more heavily into its younger talent, and Jenkins found himself coming off the bench in the final two games of the year.
It’s a tough break for a player who clearly had the size and potential to be a difference-maker up front. At 6-foot-6 with a long frame and SEC experience, Jenkins brought a lot to the table on paper. But between the injury and the emergence of younger contributors, he never quite carved out a consistent role in a defense that was evolving week to week.
With one year of eligibility left, Jenkins will now look for a fresh start elsewhere. His entry into the portal comes ahead of the NCAA’s official transfer window, which runs from January 2 to January 16. Unlike previous years, there’s only one window in 2026, making this a pivotal stretch for players looking to find a new home.
For Jenkins, the next stop will be about opportunity and fit-somewhere he can stay healthy, stay on the field, and tap into the potential that’s still very much there.