by David Hood -- Senior Writer - Thursday, June 21, 2012 12:47 AM

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Ryan Jenkins Ryan Jenkins
Wide Receiver
5-11, 177
Alpharetta, GA
View Full Profile has narrowed his collegiate choices down to Clemson and Oklahoma St., and plans on announcing his decision at Nike’s ‘The Opening’ in early July.

The 3-star wide receiver prospect out of Marietta (Ga.) Lassiter told TigerNet this week that in the meantime, he is going to be thinking long and hard about what makes each school special to him.

Clemson has an obvious attraction because his brother – Martin Jenkins – is a rising star on the Clemson defense, but there are other things he likes about the Tigers.

“It really is just the family atmosphere that stands out to me,” Jenkins said. “It is also my relationships with the coaches, relationships that I have had for two or three years now. I am just really comfortable up there.”

Oklahoma St. was a recent offer, but one that has stood out to him.

“I went to visit and camp there and got offered,” he said. “I love the facilities. Coach [Mike] Gundy is a really cool guy, and he told me how they would use me in their offense and how many balls I could catch when I got there. It was another place that I just felt comfortable when I got there.”

In watching Jenkins work out at Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile’s camp last week, I was surprised at how much his first step reminded me of Sammy Watkins. While he doesn’t have the overall top speed of Clemson’s top receiver, it isn’t surprising that offensive coordinator Chad Morris sees Jenkins as an heir-apparent to Watkins.

“They want to use me as the number two receiver, the same position as Sammy Watkins,” he said. “I think I saw every game Clemson played last season, and that is exciting to me because I saw what Sammy was able to accomplish on the field. I like how he was used in different ways – on the sweep, in the return game and being able to stretch the ball down the field.”

Jenkins said that Oklahoma St. plans to use him in the slot, a position manned last season by Josh Cooper. Cooper caught 71 passes for 715 yards in Gundy’s offense.

“They want me as that inside guy, the slot receiver,” he said. “They want me to come in there right away and compete for a starting position. Starting early is very important, but it’s not the major factor. It’s not the end of the world if I don’t start as a freshman.”

He said he still doesn’t have a clear favorite.

“Honestly, I just haven’t made a decision,” he said. “It is something I am thinking about, praying about and talking to my parents about. I am just going to choose the best place for me.”

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David Hood can be reached at davidhood@tigernet.com

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