It took five seasons, but ultimately Jordan Jenkins ended up with the Houston Texans.
The Texans signed the former New York Jets outside linebacker. However, during his pre-draft process in 2016 while coming out of Georgia, the Texans showed interest in the 6-3, 259-pound edge defender.
According to an old article from Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle dated Jan. 28, 2016, the Texans met twice with Jenkins while at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
“We had a pretty good talk,” Jenkins said. “I really liked it. It’s weird finally getting to talk to the scouts and general managers. It’s a little nerve-wracking.”
Jenkins’ parents moved to the Houston area after his father, Roland, retired from the military.
“It would be really great,” Roland said in 2016. “We have a lot of family out there and are moving back there. The Texans would be a great fit.”
What made the Texans a great fit in 2016 was they were still playing a 3-4 defense under then-defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. In 2021, the Texans are transferring over to a Tampa-2 scheme with four down linemen.
In terms of having his support network nearby, Houston presents tremendous advantages for Jenkins, who collected 22.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss in his 72 career games with the Jets.