Jenkins details reasons for decommitment

by David Hood -- Senior Writer - Monday, January 7, 2013 12:23 PM

Clemson’s 2013 wide receiver recruiting class took a couple of hits Monday morning when DeMarcus Robinson Marcus Robinson
Linebacker
6-3, 215
Memphis, TN
View Full Profile announced he was headed to Florida and longtime Clemson commit Ryan Jenkins Ryan Jenkins
Wide Receiver
5-11, 177
Alpharetta, GA
View Full Profile de-committed from Clemson and announced he was headed to Tennessee.

Robinson’s announcement wasn’t too much of a surprise – he has been full of drama for weeks – but Jenkins committed to Clemson back in July and his brother is current Clemson defensive back Martin Jenkins.

However, Jenkins’ father played at Tennessee and new Volunteer head coach Butch Jones turned the 3-star prospect.

Shortly after his decision, TigerNet spoke with Jenkins and he talked about what led to the decision, and declined to comment on his conversation with Clemson’s coaches.

“My conversation with the Clemson coaches is private, and I don’t want to get into that,” Jenkins said. “My decision really has nothing to do with Clemson, or nothing that detracts from Clemson per se. My dad played at Tennessee and he used to take me to games there and we went up there for my birthdays. It means a lot to me to play in place that my dad played in as well.”

Jenkins took a visit to Knoxville this past weekend.

“I visited Tennessee on Friday and Saturday,” he said. “Walking around the campus and meeting with the coaches, I knew it was the place I wanted to be in my heart. I have a really great relationship with Coach Jones, and we are really close. He and my dad are close as well and it helped us build a great relationship.”

He said that his brother Martin is happy for him as well, even though the two won’t get to play together.

“My brother, he was happy for me,” Jenkins said. “He wants me to be happy and go to the place that best fits me. He is my brother. “

David Hood can be reached at davidhood@tigernet.com

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