Malcolm Jenkins

College Career

“I always strive for the top, and there's no other way to do it.”

Although only considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Malcolm’s talent, athleticism and drive earned him a scholarship offer to play for The Ohio State University football program in 2005. During his freshman season at Ohio State, Jenkins spent most of his time at nickel back. He finished the season with 37 tackles in 10 games. In 2006 he started all 13 games at corner and was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten. He finished 2006 with 55 tackles and 4 interceptions. As a junior in 2007, Jenkins recorded 47 tackles and 4 interceptions and was named a first team All-American by Pro Football Weekly and a first team All-Big Ten for the second consecutive year. As a collegiate athlete, Malcolm, naturally emerged as a leader on and off the field of Ohio State, the Nation’s top-rated defense. Off the field, Malcolm was an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity participating as an after school tutor for at risk youth, and serving as a leader in the national public service organization. He was described by his coaches, teammates and fraternity brothers in The Plain Dealer newspaper (’08) as an effective time manager who balanced his time between bible study, football and community activities. On the field, Malcolm's discipline and athleticism was recognized nationally by the distinguished Jim Thorpe committee. In his senior year, he received the Jim Thorpe Award, an honor bestowed to the nation’s best defensive back. Malcolm was the 2nd award winner from Ohio State in the 23 years of Thorpe award recipients. When asked how he felt to be among the ranks of Thorpe recipients like Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson, Jenkins told the Associated Press,"… to look at all the rest of these guys, it's just amazing and extremely humbling for me just to be able to be mentioned in the same breath with these guys." Jenkins graduated in 2009 from The Ohio State University receiving his Bachelors degree in Communications.