All-State offensive lineman on the Illini radar

Winning the class 6A title still hasn’t sunk in for Prairie Ridge junior offensive lineman Jeff Jenkins.

“It is unbelievable, Jenkins said. “We have been thinking about this for years. Just growing up with my teammates, it’s what we’ve worked for since we were back in junior wolves.”

Jenkins stands 6-foot-4, 260-pounds and was all over the field for the Wolves in the title game, a 48-17 win over Sacred Heart-Griffin. Prairie Ridge quarterback Samson Evans, also a DI prospect, raved about Jenkins’ performance and believes college recruiters will take notice.

“He’s a phenomenal player,” Evans said. “He’s super-fast. Super-athletic. It’s ridiculous. People might not know that by just looking at him but he’s a freak athlete. It will pick up after this.”

Jenkins is a three-year Fox Valley All-Conference selection and a Sun Times All-Area selection, plus is quick to credit his fellow offensive lineman for the unit’s success.

“Playing together is a big thing and just gelling together and coming together as a group and playing as a group, especially with our triple option offense the offensive linemen has to work together. As the season went on we started gelling better and it turned out really nice,” Jenkins said.

Recruiting is starting to pick up for Jenkins, who has visited Illinois, Ball State, Northern Illinois and Purdue so far.

“It’s going well, a lot of the thing is that coaches want to see me put on a little more weight. So I think once that happens I’ll start to see a few more offers and interest, but we will see,” Jenkins said.

And as for winning the state title on the Illini’s home field at Memoria Stadium. That was something Jenkins will remember.

“It was awesome playing here,” Jenkins said. “I came and visited here in September. And I remember saying I have to get back on this field one more time and I can’t believe we did it. That was my goal when I stepped out on the field to watch them play during my visit.”