2008: Saw action in 12 games, 10 as a starter ...Was one of the most dangerous and multi-talented offensive weapons in the Sun Belt Conference, earning first team All-Sun Belt honors ... Recorded 77 receptions for 868 yards and five touchdowns...Also had 33 carries for 254 yards and one touchdown...Despite missing the equivalent of two games because of a knee injury suffered at the end of the first half at North Texas, he broke a 40-year old school single-season mark for receptions with 77 ... His 6.4 receptions per game also stands as a school record, eclipsing a 42-year-old mark ... In addition to leading the team in receptions, receiving yards and TD receptions, he also finished second in rushing yards and threw one touchdown pass... Prior to his injury (which required mid-season surgery) he was frequently operating out of the "Wildcat" formation, taking snaps at quarterback ... Two best performances came in back-to-back games prior to his injury ... Had five catches for 131 yards and a score and 10 rushes for 88 yards, plus a TD pass, against FIU to earn team Offensive Player of the Week honors ... Followed up with nine receptions for 123 yards and a TD in just one half against North Texas ... Sat out the Trojans' only league loss at ULM ... Had a career-high 10 receptions at LSU ... Had three receptions for 69 yards and five rushes for 42 yards in the regular season finale against Arkansas State.
2007: Had a strong rookie season in which he played in all 12 games, starting five ... Was third on the team in receiving yards with 337 and fourth in receptions with 30 ... Tied for the team lead with three touchdown receptions ... Also had 14 rushing attempts for 50 yards ... Had two punt returns for 23 yards ... First collegiate touchdown reception came against North Texas ... Breakout performance came against then 10th ranked Georgia when he had a school Division I record 11 receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns ... Added five catches for 74 yards against Middle Tennessee.
PREP: Attended Eufaula High School lettering in varsity football under Coach Dan Klagaes ... Primary position was quarterback ... Team won two Region 5A Championships, 2005 and 2006 ... Also in 2006, had an undefeated season ... During senior season was first team All-State, first team All-District and first team All-Area ... As a junior, was named first team All-District and first team All-Area ... During career had 270 rushing carries, 2,390 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns ... Also had completed 86 of 190 pass attempts for 1,536 yards and 13 touchdowns with just seven interceptions ... Also lettered in basketball and baseball.
PERSONAL: Full name is Jerrel Marquis Jernigan ... Was born on June 14, 1989 ... Is the son of Stanely and Virginia Jernigan ... Has three sisters – Rasheema (21), Shlekra (16) and Tashayla (13) ... Is a Criminal Justice major.
Courtesy: Kevin Glackmeyer
