UNC Football Portal Target Picks Seminoles Over Tar Heels

The UNC football coaches aren't alone in losing transfer battles to Florida State this cycle.
Former UNC football transfer target Jayson Jenkins
Former UNC football transfer target Jayson Jenkins / Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Initially, three-year Tennessee defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins planned to visit four suitors last week, including the UNC football program, along with NC State, Texas Tech, and Florida State. But the 6-foot-6, 281-pound edge rusher tweaked his schedule, ultimately just checking out the Tar Heels in person before heading to Tallahassee to spend time with the Seminoles over the weekend.

ALSO READ: Transfer Wide Receiver Javin Whatley Includes Tar Heels Among Finalists

And on Sunday afternoon, with two years of college eligibility remaining, Jenkins announced his commitment to the Florida State Seminoles:

The former three-star prep out of Notre Dame High School (N.J.) became a three-star transfer prospect after formally entering the portal on Dec. 26.

As a redshirt sophomore this season, Jayson Jenkins posted nine tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble across his 13 outings for the Volunteers. He currently ranks No. 128 overall and No. 15 among edge rushers in the transfer portal, per 247Sports.

Florida State's 16-deep transfer collection stacks up No. 5 in the country and No. 1 among ACC programs. As for first-year UNC football head coach Bill Belichick and his staff, their 12-man portal haul, including a pair of defensive linemen in former East Carolina tackle CJ Mims and Delaware edge rusher Melkart Abou-Jaoude, checks in at No. 31 overall and No. 4 in the conference.

ALSO READ: Outbound UNC Defensive Lineman Travis Shaw Commits to SEC Program

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC football transfer portal news.


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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.