Senate Honors 2008 Jim Thorpe Award Winner Malcolm Jenkins

2008 Jim Thorpe Award winner Malcolm Jenkins was honored on the floor of the state Senate on Monday. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 3, recognizing and commending the standout defensive back from Ohio State University.

As a junior, Jenkins was selected first-team Pro Football Weekly All-American, first team All-Big Ten, second team Walter Camp All-American, and a Thorpe semi-finalist. He recorded 47 tackles during the season. He was selected as defensive player of the week and won the Arnie Chonko Award for Outstanding Defensive Back.

As a senior, Jenkins was Captain of the Ohio State University Buckeyes and won the 2008 Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the nation’s best college defensive back. He also was selected to the American Football Coaches’ Association (AFCA) All-American Team, the Walter Camp All-American First Team and the Big Ten Conference First Team.

“Malcolm Jenkins has been an outstanding college football player, who has displayed exemplary leadership abilities throughout his career,” said Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City. “He’s a very deserving recipient of the Thorpe Award, and will go on to have a fine professional career. More importantly, he’s distinguished himself as a fine all-around student athlete.

Jenkins was a four-year letterman for the Buckeyes. In addition to his accomplishments as an upper classman, Jenkins started all 13 games as a sophomore and was a first-team All-Big Ten performer.

“Jenkins performed on an elite level as an athlete, and also deserves recognition for his efforts in the classroom,” Leftwich said. “He’s an excellent football player, and an even better person.”