Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a first team All-American tight end for the Washington Huskies. He finished third in the Mackey Award voting last year, and was 3rd team All-American. Extremely tall, big and fast, he’s projected as a top 15 NFL Draft pick in 2014. I’ve seen him in the top 10 in a few mocks.
Seferian-Jenkins was also a member of the Huskies basketball team during his freshman year.
On March 9, 2013, Seferian-Jenkins was cited for DUI in Seattle. In July he plead guilty to DUI and served a day in jail. A blue chip football prospect with some character issues- I know shocking. UW Coach Steve Sarkisian suspended him for the Huskies’ season opener against #19 Boise State.
The Huskies didn’t miss him, as they crushed Boise 38-6. Now Washington is ranked #19 heading into their game at Chicago’s Soldier Field versus the Illini Saturday. (Washington was off in week two)
I asked Illini Coach Tim Beckman all about him on conference call yesterday.
“Just looking at his body,the way he runs the way he performs, he’s a phenomenal talent,” Beckman said.
Last year Seferian-Jenkins recorded 69 receptions for 852 yards and 7 touchdowns. The redshirt junior had already set Washington records for receptions (110), receiving yards (1,390) and touchdowns (13) for the tight end position. by his sophomore season. On August 12, 2013, Seferian-Jenkins suffered a broken pinkie during practice. Seferian-Jenkins later required surgery to fix it; which included have a pin inserted.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An analyst for 95.7 The Fan, he also writes on Chicago sports media for Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)