John Jenkins Bio
Johnathan Jenkins (born July 11, 1989) is an American professional football nose tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 3 in and listed at 360 lb, he has built a long career as an interior defensive lineman since entering the league in 2013. Drafted in the third round by the New Orleans Saints, he has also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Las Vegas Raiders. He is recognized for his run-stopping ability, positional durability, and a career that has now extended into a second decade.
Early Life and Background
Johnathan Jenkins was born in Stamford, Connecticut, and grew up nearby in Meriden, where he attended Francis T. Maloney High School. A native of Connecticut, he developed into a multi-position contributor for the Maloney Spartans football team, lining up primarily at defensive end while also taking occasional snaps at fullback in short-and-goal situations. As a senior, Jenkins scored four touchdowns in those goal-line roles, showing the early versatility that would later help him adjust to a new position in college.
After high school, Jenkins took the junior college route, enrolling at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Mississippi, for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. As a sophomore, he recorded 41 tackles and two quarterback sacks, gaining the experience and physical development needed to attract four-year scholarship offers. The Gulf Coast program posted a 19–5 record across his two seasons, giving him a winning environment to grow in before transferring to a major Southeastern Conference program.
Path to American Football
Jenkins earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Georgia, where he played for head coach Mark Richt and the Georgia Bulldogs in 2011 and 2012. Richt recruited him specifically to handle the nose tackle spot in Georgia’s 3–4 defensive front, with Jenkins rotating alongside Kwame Geathers at that position. The move from defensive end to nose tackle required him to add bulk and refine his hand technique against double-teams, changes that ultimately shaped his professional profile.
His work in the SEC earned him second-team All-SEC recognition in 2012, validating the position change and establishing him as a legitimate NFL prospect. By the end of his junior season, Jenkins had put together the resume and measurables needed to declare for the draft, leading to his selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.
John Jenkins Career
Early Career (2013–2016)
Jenkins was selected in the third round, 82nd overall, by the New Orleans Saints in the 2013 NFL Draft and signed his first NFL contract on May 10, 2013. As a rookie nose tackle, he provided early-down run defense for a Saints front that was in the middle of a defensive rebuild. Over the next three seasons in New Orleans, he appeared in a rotation that helped the team remain competitive in the NFC South.
He was released by the Saints on November 9, 2016, and quickly found a new opportunity, signing with the Seattle Seahawks on November 15, 2016. His time in Seattle was brief but allowed him to join one of the league’s most physical defensive lines.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2017–2018, 2020)
On March 17, 2017, Jenkins signed with the Chicago Bears, where he played in eight games during the 2017 season. He re-signed with the Bears on a one-year contract on April 7, 2018, though he was released on September 1, 2018, before the regular season began. His first stint in Chicago showed he could still contribute as a rotational interior defender.
Jenkins returned to the Bears on April 28, 2020, signing a one-year deal. That year was marked by unique challenges, including a placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list in late July, from which he was activated four days later. He was later placed on injured reserve on September 24 and activated on October 16, finishing the season in Chicago.
New York Giants Era (2018–2019)
On September 4, 2018, Jenkins was signed by the New York Giants, giving him another opportunity to compete for a roster spot. He appeared in games for the Giants that fall, and on May 13, 2019, he re-signed with the team for another season. He was released on August 31, 2019, as the team shaped its final roster, ending his New York chapter.
Miami Dolphins Era (2019, 2021–2022)
Jenkins first joined the Miami Dolphins on September 2, 2019, after his release from the Giants, providing veteran depth on the defensive line. He later returned to Miami on April 2, 2021, settling into a more established role. On April 7, 2022, he re-signed with the Dolphins for another season, and across his two Miami stints he became a trusted rotational nose tackle for the organization.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2023–2024)
On March 24, 2023, Jenkins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he would enjoy the most productive stretch of his career. On December 14, 2023, against the Los Angeles Chargers, he recovered a fumble and returned it for his first career touchdown in a 63–21 Raiders victory. He started all 17 games in 2023, recording a career-high 61 tackles, four passes defensed, and one sack, cementing himself as a regular in the starting lineup. He re-signed with the Raiders on March 18, 2024, before eventually moving on after the 2024 season.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2025–Present)
On May 16, 2025, Jenkins signed with the Baltimore Ravens, joining a defense known for its physicality and aggressive front. After Nnamdi Madubuike suffered a season-ending neck injury early in the year, Jenkins stepped into an expanded role as the Ravens’ primary nose tackle. On January 2, 2026, Jenkins signed the first contract extension of his career with the Ravens, a one-year deal worth $2 million, rewarding his contributions and securing his place on the defensive line for the future.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jenkins is a prototypical space-eating nose tackle whose strength lies in occupying double-teams, anchoring against the run, and freeing linebackers to make plays. He is at his best in traditional run situations, where his low center of gravity and heavy hands allow him to control blockers at the point of attack. Over the years, he has also developed enough pass-rush savvy to contribute occasional pressures and deflections, even if his primary identity remains tied to run defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the signature moments of Jenkins’ career came on December 14, 2023, when he recorded his first career touchdown on a fumble recovery against the Los Angeles Chargers. He also started all 17 games for the Raiders in 2023, posting a career-high 61 tackles, and in 2025 he earned his first NFL contract extension with the Baltimore Ravens, a meaningful milestone for a player who entered the league as a third-round pick in 2013.
John Jenkins Career Wins
Johnathan Jenkins’ professional resume is built on longevity, consistency, and steady contributions as an interior defensive lineman rather than headline-grabbing win totals. Across more than a decade in the NFL, he has helped multiple teams field stouter run defenses while posting career statistics of 358 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 11 pass deflections, and 1 defensive touchdown, as of 2025. His 17-game starting season in 2023 and his first career extension in 2026 highlight the value he has provided to winning rosters.
NFL Career Highlights
Selected 82nd overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, Jenkins opened his career with the New Orleans Saints and has since suited up for eight organizations, including the Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens. His most recent win came as a member of the Ravens’ defensive rotation, where he has helped anchor the middle of the line in 2025.
Other Wins and Performances
Before the NFL, Jenkins helped Francis T. Maloney High School to competitive seasons in Connecticut and contributed to a 19–5 record across his two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. At the University of Georgia, he earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2012, one of the strongest individual accolades of his pre-professional career.
John Jenkins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Johnathan Jenkins’ immediate family is limited. He is identified as a native of Meriden, Connecticut, and has credited his upbringing in that community for grounding him as a young athlete.
Personal Life
Details about Jenkins’ personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He is known to be active on social media, where fans can follow his career through verified accounts.
2025 Season Performance
Johnathan Jenkins joined the Baltimore Ravens on May 16, 2025, and quickly became a key piece of their defensive line rotation. After Nnamdi Madubuike suffered a season-ending neck injury early in the year, Jenkins assumed an expanded role as the team’s primary nose tackle, taking on more snaps and responsibility at the heart of the defense. His veteran presence helped stabilize the interior of a Ravens front known for its aggressive, attacking style.
Jenkins’ reliability and performance throughout the 2025 campaign were significant factors in Baltimore’s defensive success, and his steady play did not go unnoticed by the organization. On January 2, 2026, he signed the first contract extension of his career with the Ravens, a one-year deal worth $2 million. The extension reflected both his on-field contributions and the trust the coaching staff placed in him as a long-term fit at nose tackle.
Heading into the next phase of his career, Jenkins is positioned as a core veteran presence in Baltimore’s defensive line room. His blend of size, experience, and run-stopping ability continues to make him a valuable asset for a team with championship aspirations.
