NFL taking notice of Elgton Jenkins' historic season of versatility

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Versatility has been Jenkins' calling card going back to his days at Clarksdale (Miss.) High School. For a short time, he was even recruited by the University of Alabama-Birmingham as a defensive lineman before it became apparent his future lied on the offensive side of the ball.


When asked about Jenkins' flexibility, Hackett joked, "The way he's been, we could put him out at wide receiver maybe." If given the opportunity, Jenkins made a playful quip about possibility slotting himself in at the signal-caller spot.


"I'd play quarterback," smiled Jenkins. "Just knowing defenses and stuff like that, with the arm I've got, I feel like I could sling it around, break a couple records."


Elgton wasn't the only member of the Jenkins family surprised by the Pro Bowl news. The first person he called after speaking with Gutekunst was his mother, Delandra, who was "hollering on the phone" after Jenkins told her.


While sworn to secrecy, Delandra proceeded to call Elgton "five or six" more times to double-check until was finally announced on NFL Network at 6 p.m. CT.


Although Delandra might have always known what her son can do on a football field, the league's coaches and players also have taken notice during Jenkins' first two NFL seasons.


"I'm just blessed, man," Jenkins said. "It comes from hard work, just trying to be the best person I can, on the field, off the field and getting the job done. The league finally taking recognition, hopefully for the next however so many years it'll keep happening."