We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.
No. 12 Michael Jenkins
"Touchdown! Touchdown! Michael Jenkins!"
WR Michael Jenkins
2000-2003
b. June 8, 1982 (Tampa, Florida)
- Team MVP (2003)
- Big Ten Champion (2002)
- National Champion (2002)
That legendary catch to secure victory against Purdue and keep Ohio State's undefeated, eventual national championship season alive is without doubt the signature moment of Jenkins career, but it was far from his only highlight during his three years as a starter.
Jenkins is one of the best wide receivers in program history at a school with a rich tradition of dominant receivers. He owns the school record for career receiving yards with 2,898, and is third in school history in pass receptions with 165. He last played 15 years ago but is still the last Buckeye to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in a season.
Though Jenkins became a focal point of the offense his sophomore season when he caught 41 passes for 836 yards and three touchdowns, his best season came when he was a junior, during Ohio State's national title run. He was the Buckeyes' go-to receiver, racking up 1,076 yards and six touchdowns on 61 receptions and making several clutch catching. As a senior, Jenkins had 55 receptions for 834 yards and seven touchdowns to cap of his career.
Following his time at Ohio State, Jenkins was drafted in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons and had a nine-year NFL career. He retired from the league in 2013 after he was released by the Patriots and now co-owns Crossfit Ecstatic just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.
