Center of attention
3 min read
Former Mississippi State offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins stood out in college for his versatility. There are not many positions he didn’t have a hand in contributing at for the Bulldogs. As he moves on to the next level, we sat down to talk with him about his flexibility, technique and overall mindset heading into the 2019 NFL Draft.
Q&A with Mississippi State OL Elgton Jenkins
DN: With all of the different positions (LG, LT, RT, OC) you’ve played in school, which one would you say is your favorite? Did you have one that you feel like you’re best at?
Jenkins: I think I’m better at center than all of them. I’ve been playing it for two years and in those two years I’ve been playing it I’ve been more wise to the game… having more knowledge. But I think with any position I play at this point right here, with the knowledge I have for the game, I can dominate and play at a high level.
DN: And speaking of playing at a high level, it seemed like one of the things that you do a really good job of is re-anchoring. Even if somebody may get you for a second, you do a good job of hopping back to sink back in the chair. Do you think your tackle experience helps dealing with guys inside trying to use leverage?
Jenkins: I really think it is a mix of athleticism, being strong and being able to bend. That’s what I think it is.
DN: Some of the guys you’ve played with and have moved on, what type of advice have they given to you? Can you draw experience from your teammate being in this same situation, Rankin (Martinas, 3rd Round, 80th overall, 2018 NFL Draft, Houston Texans)? What has Martinas kind of talked to you about?
Jenkins: Man, he just says come to work every day with a business-mind approach. Treat this as your job and things like that. So every day come to work and every year somebody else is trying to come and take your job. You’ve got to be a man, step up and keep your job.
DN: In terms of learning a new offense this year under Joe Moorhead (Mississippi State head coach), what was one of the big things you had to pick up in terms of making a quick transition? Certainly a different style than the previous scheme.
Jenkins: Just the scheme and the offense and things like that. I think I pick up offenses really fast man. It is really just the same thing, you’ve just go to be able to use the verbiage from each offense and you’ll pick it up fast.
DN: Do you feel like it was one game that you would want someone to take a look at, what game would that be?
Jenkins: I feel like you can look at the majority of my games, but a game I’d say probably was Auburn. They’ve got one of the bigger D-tackles and he probably had one tackle that game. Not only me, but my offensive line back at Mississippi State. They had a big part in that. We play as five and then we play as one. Us as a whole O-line had a big part in my success.
DN: Is there one guy at the next level you pattern your game after? Or a guy you’ve looked up to?
Jenkins: When I was playing tackle, I always looked at tackles. Me playing center right now, it’ll probably be somebody like Maurkice (Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers) or someone like that.
DN: That’s a pretty good one. Thanks a lot for your time man. Good luck in the draft.
Jenkins: Appreciate it.
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