Standing six feet tall and weighing in at 185 pounds, senior Chartrael Jenkins is an elite hybrid player for the Cypress Lake Panthers. Jenkins plays both sides of the ball at a high level, averaging 62.2 yards per game as well as 11.1 tackles per game in his senior season. Jenkins also caught three interceptions in his last year with the Panthers and scored 96 points in 16 touchdowns.
The Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) selected Jenkins to be a member of the south team in the 69th annual FACA All Star Football Classic. As an all-star, he traveled to the Villages High School for three days to train with the rest of the best players from South Florida. Jenkins proved to be an integral part in the South’s 35-0 win over the North team, so much so that he was named defensive MVP at the end of the week.
When asked about the experience, Jenkins said, “It was really hard adapting to the weather up there. I would say it was around 40o, but as always I came in with my normal mindset. I know I’m always the best player on the field, no matter what, if it’s practice or a game or anything. After two days of practice, it was game day. I wasn’t nervous, I was ready.”
On being named defensive MVP, Jenkins said, “It means a lot to me, but not to be cocky or anything, I felt like I was going to win the whole game just based on how I played. I always approach a game with the attitude that I’m better than the guys next to me and the guys in front of me so I was confident from the start. After getting a pick I knew I had sealed the award because I already had around eight tackles and that was just added on top. It also meant a lot to see another kid from Fort Myers, Madrid Tucker, win offensive MVP. Show them what we are about down in Fort Myers.”
Jenkins, while extremely talented, is yet to make a college decision. Both he and his coach, Coach Mendes, have received a lot of requests for film, interviews, and visits.
