Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Donovan Jennings, an undrafted free agent signing in the 2024 draft class, was drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL on Wednesday.
Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Donovan Jennings, an undrafted free agent signing in the 2024 draft class, was drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL on Wednesday.
The draft pool available to the UFL teams included only undrafted free agent players from the 2024 draft class.
Jennings (6-4, 323) made 45 career starts at USF. He set the new school record with 55 career appearances. While mostly a left tackle at USF, Jennings is listed as both a tackle and guard by the Packers.
Jennings signed with the Packers on April 30. He will have a chance to make a surprise run at a roster spot or stick on the practice squad during training camp.
Jennings and the rest of the Packers rookies are reporting to training camp on Wednesday. The first practice is Monday, July 22.
None of the other undrafted free agents signed by the Packers in 2024 were selected in the UFL draft.
The Packers will continue to hold Jennings’ player rights until they are surrendered.
Here is a closer look at Packers’ UDFA offensive lineman Donovan Jennings with what you need to know.
The Green Bay Packers signed eight undrafted rookies following the 2024 NFL Draft. Given the Packers’ rich history of UDFAs not only making the team but eventually becoming impact players, let’s get to know each of these signees, beginning with offensive lineman Donovan Jennings.
Height: 6-4 Weight: 323 RAS: 8.93 at OT, 9.65 at OG
Breakdown: Of the Packers’ eight undrafted rookies, if there’s one to really watch closely this summer, it’s Jennings. The Packers had him in for an official pre-draft visit and reportedly gave him a $10,000 signing bonus and $100,000 in guaranteed salary, which is not a common practice for the Packers.
When we look at typical linemen that the Packers covet, Jennings checks many of those boxes. He’s a very good athlete; he is a college tackle who will play guard for the Packers, and Jennings is an experienced player as well, with over 3,100 career snaps as South Florida’s left tackle. This past season, Jennings was one of PFF’s highest-graded pass-blocking tackles, ranking 22nd in that category.
When it comes to UDFAs making the final roster, a key part of that equation is there is an opening, and when it comes to the Packers’ interior offensive line, that is very much the case. As of now, if we consider Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Sean Rhyan, and Jacob Monk to be roster locks, that potentially leaves an interior spot up for grabs.
What NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say: “Jennings is a college tackle with good size but below-average length and he might need to prove he can bump inside to guard. Jennings will turn 25 years old in November and has missed games in each of the past two seasons due to injury. He plays with excellent composure and possesses nimble feet in pass protection. His strong hands help him sustain both run and pass blocks. He’s a decent athlete with the flexion to unlock his lower body but his overall anchor falls below average when challenged by power rushers. Jennings might offer dual-position flexibility as a late-round backup.”
Donovan Jennings: “You’re not just getting a great football player,” said Jennings via The Draft Network. “You’re getting a great human being as well. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help my teammates. I’m an extremely hard worker that’s a team-oriented guy who loves being around the locker room. I love building those relationships.
“You’re also going to get a fast, physical, and athletic offensive lineman. I’m proving my versatility throughout this process. I think any team would be blessed to have me in the 2024 NFL Draft.”
The Packers are signing South Florida offensive lineman Donovan Jennings as an undrafted free agent.
The Green Bay Packers are signing USF offensive lineman Donovan Jennings as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL draft, per Aaron Wilson.
Per Wilson, the Packers are giving Jennings a $10,000 signing bonus and $100,000 guaranteed salary, suggesting many teams were interested.
The Packers brought Jennings to Green Bay for a 30 visit ahead of the draft. He could immediately compete for a 53-man roster spot as a backup offensive lineman with tackle-guard versatility.
Jennings, 24, started 47 games for USF across six seasons. His 55 appearances set a school record. Of his 47 starts, 45 came at left tackle, with the other two at right guard. At 6-4 and 323 pounds, Jennings is built like an NFL guard and could move inside for Green Bay.
At his pro day, Jennings ran the 40-yard dash in 5.02 seconds — a solid time for a 323-pounder. He also hit 28″ in the vertical leap and put up 28 reps on the bench press while completing the short shuttle in 4.7 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.60 seconds. As an offensive tackle, his Relative Athletic Score is 8.93. As a guard, it’s 9.65.
Jennings participated at the East-West Shrine Bowl following his final season. Per Dane Brugler of The Athletic, Jennings looked good playing guard at the Shrine Bowl.
The Green Bay Packers will host South Florida offensive tackle Donovan Jennings on a top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers will host South Florida offensive tackle Donovan Jennings on a top 30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft, according to Aaron Wilson.
Teams are allowed to host up to 30 prospects on visits ahead of the draft. Packers Wire is tracking all the reported visits here.
Jennings appeared in 55 games at South Florida, setting the school record. He started 45 games at left tackle. A starter as a true freshman, Jennings battled injuries across six seasons at the school. He is 24 years old and will turn 25 in November.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jennings allowed only two sacks, five quarterback hits and 24 total pressures across 570 pass-blocking snaps over the last two seasons.
Jennings (6-4, 323) ran the 40-yard dash in 5.02 seconds, hit 28″ in the vertical leap, finished 28 reps in the bench press and completed the short shuttle in 4.70 seconds and the three-cone in 7.60 seconds at USF’s pro day. His Relative Athletic Score is 8.93 out of 10.0.
His size and athleticism suggest a move inside to guard at the NFL level.
Jennings participated at the East-West Shrine Bowl. He is PFF’s No. 238 overall prospect. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Jennings as a likely undrafted free agent.
Jennings missed 11 games to injury over the last two seasons. His injury history and the possibility of being an undrafted free agent likely contributed to the draft visit to Green Bay.
The Bucs know how to find gems along the offensive line in the later rounds, and this local prospect fits the bill
Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht knows how to find diamonds in the rough along the offensive line every year in the NFL draft, and it, and this time around, he won’t have to look far.
One of the most underrated blockers in the 2024 class is USF’s Donovan Jennings, who played his college ball at Raymond James Stadium for the Bulls.
Jennings brings a fantastic combination of experience and athleticism to the table, two things the Bucs value highly in all of their potential draft picks. He backed up his solid film with a strong week at the East-West Shrine Game, as then put on a show at USF’s pro day workout:
SLEEPER offensive lineman Donovan Jennings of @USFFootball CRUSHED at his Pro Day last week.
Full numbers and updated RAS scores below, but his total score puts him in the top-7 among all OGs in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay needs as much help as they can get along the interior of the offense line, and spending a Day 3 pick on Jennings would give them a high-upside player who could quickly develop into a potential starter.
Here’s who will be garnering the attention of NFL scouts from Dec. 18 through the 22nd.
‘Tis the season for college football bowl games.
Throughout the next couple of weeks, I’ll be highlighting a prospect from each bowl game, starting from the Famous Toastery Bowl all the way to the Sugar Bowl.
Here’s who will be garnering the attention of NFL scouts from Dec. 18 through the 22nd.
