Rayshawn Jenkins

Rayshawn Jenkins's Biography

Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins, born January 25, 1994, is an American professional football player who has carved a space for himself in the National Football League (NFL). Born and raised in the United States, Jenkins’ journey into professional football began with a vibrant college football career at Miami (FL). After proving his prowess in college football, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round of 2017 NFL draft.

An event that held significance in his career trajectory was the acceptance of invitation to the 2017 Senior Bowl, held on December 5, 2016. However, during the Senior Bowl practices, Jenkins was involved in a physical conflict with Grambling State’s wide receiver, Chad Williams. The incident caught the attention of coach Hue Jackson, who warned both players about potentially damaging their draft stocks. This altercation eventually forged a concerning impression about Jenkins. Nevertheless, on January 28, 2017, Jenkins made an impactful appearance on the field, making two combined tackles and leading the South team to a narrow victory over the North with a score of 16-15.

While preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, Jenkins found himself amidst 60 defensive backs. Nonetheless, he left an admirable mark, securing ninth place in the broad jump and 22nd in the 40-yard dash event. On March 29, 2017, at Miami’s pro day, Jenkins opted for the short shuttle, three-cone drill, and positional drills. His exploits in the pre-draft process led to private meetings and workouts with the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The foundation for Jenkins’ professional life was solidified when he was ranked the fifth-best free safety by NFLDraftScout.com. His efforts were recognized when the Los Angeles Chargers selected him in the 113rd overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft. On May 17 of the same year, the Chargers signed Jenkins to a four-year, $3.06 million contract, inclusive of a signing bonus worth $662,209.

During the training camp, Jenkins found himself competing against a myriad of players including Dwight Lowery, Tre Boston, Darrell Stuckey, Dexter McCoil, and Adrian Phillips for the spot at safety. Despite the competition, Jenkins managed to secure the third strong safety position on the depth chart, behind Jahleel Addae and Adrian Phillips. He commenced his professional regular season with his debut in the Chargers’ loss in a match against the Denver Broncos. However, several matches later, he marked his first career tackle, followed by his highest season score and concluded his rookie season with 13 combined tackles.

In 2019, Jenkins ascended to the position of a starting safety owing to injuries to Derwin James and rookie Nasir Adderley. Subsequently, he grabbed his first career interception off Matthew Stafford in a match against the Detroit Lions. Despite the loss, Jenkins concluded the season with promising statistics: 54 tackles, four passes defended, and a leading team position with three interceptions through 16 starts.

2020 brought a defining moment in Jenkins’ career when he recorded his full career sack on Teddy Bridgewater against the Carolina Panthers. However, the following year, he signed a four-year, $35 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite suffering a broken ankle and ending the season prematurely, Jenkins had an impressive record of 73 tackles and three passes defended.

Jenkins was welcomed into the Jacksonville Jaguars team as the starting free safety. Here, in a match against Indianapolis Colts, he recorded his first interception and helped the team secure a division title in the 2022 NFL season.

However, after a successful stint, Jenkins was released by the Jaguars in 2024. He was later signed by the Seattle Seahawks, where he continued his consistent performance by recording a 102-yard fumble return in a match against the New York Giants. Currently, being placed on injured reserve, Jenkins’ journey crossed varied approaches, learning curves, and challenges ultimately reinforcing his place as a notable American professional football safety. His relentless focus and prowess on the football field have made him an asset to the NFL.