Former Georgia Tech wide receiver E.J. Jenkins waived by the New York Jets

The former Georgia Tech receiver did not make the Jets 53-man roster

Former Georgia Tech wide receiver E.J. Jenkins had a solid preseason but was unfortunately released today by the New York Jets according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. 

The #Jets are waiving TE E.J. Jenkins, per source. He'll be a practice squad candidate.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 29, 2023

Jenkins caught two passes for 18 yards in his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns and then caught one pass for five yards in a matchup with the Carolina Panthers. According to Pelissero however, Jenkins is going to be a practice squad candidate for the Jets. 

It has been a journey for Jenkins to get to this point and he was not always playing at the FBS level. From 2017-2020, Jenkins played at St.Francis (PA) and was a star at that level. He redshirted in 2017 and then put up modest numbers in 2018 (five catches for 52 yards) before bursting on the scene in 2019.

In his first big season, Jenkins hauled in 39 passes for 779 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 20 yards per catch. With guys his size, they don't usually have a big yards per catch average, as they are used mostly in the red zone or they don't have the athleticism to make catches down the field.

It was clear that Jenkins could play at a higher level and for the 2021 season, he transferred to the SEC to play for South Carolina. After catching eight passes for 117 yards and one touchdown, Jenkins decided to transfer for his final season of eligibility and landed at Georgia Tech.

Former Georgia Tech wide receiver E.J. Jenkins was cut by the New York Jets today / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jenkins caught 17 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns last season while averaging over 18 yards per catch. His best game last season perhaps was against Florida State, when he hauled in three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

One thing I keep coming back to when thinking about Jenkins and his NFL potential is that he has not played with consistent quarterback room in the last couple of years since making the move up to the FBS level. South Carolina did not have a good passing attack in 2021 and Georgia Tech did not have one last year. It is easy to look at the box score and wonder why someone with his size and apparent athleticism is not doing more, but having poor quarterback play is the symptom of that in my opinion. 

Follow for the latest on Georgia Tech Athletics!

Facebook: All Yellow Jackets

Twitter: @AllYellowJacket

Follow Jackson on Twitter: @jacksoncaudell

Follow Madison on Twitter: @Madison_Meyers7

Follow Matthew on Twitter: @kistner__

See all of the latest Tech News at AllYellowJackets.com

Check out the Georgia Tech Homepage

Listen to the Goal Line Stand Podcast for the best Georgia Tech and national college football coverage!

More Georgia Tech Related Content:

Juanyeh Thomas makes the Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster

Former Georgia Tech linebacker Ace Eley released by the Carolina Panthers

Georgia Tech Volleyball up to No. 11 in the polls following win over Penn State

Jeff Brohm on Georgia Tech: "They're gonna play to win and play confident and we have to match that"

Report: ACC Presidents expected to meet tonight and possibly vote on adding Cal, Stanford, and SMU

No Georgia Tech in ESPN's preseason bowl projections

Report: "Continued Momentum" for the ACC to add Cal, Stanford, and SMU

SP+ predicts Georgia Tech vs. Louisville score

ACC Football: Week one predictions for every ACC game

Conference Realignment: Big 12 has no interest in adding Pac-4 school