E.J. Jenkins Bio
Emanuel E. “E. J.” Jenkins (born November 3, 1998) is an American professional football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 245 pounds, he developed into a sizable pass-catching target through three college programs before reaching the pros. Jenkins was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has also spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders. In February 2025, he earned a Super Bowl championship as a member of the Eagles.
Early Life and Background
Jenkins was born on November 3, 1998, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and grew up in the same region. He attended Chancellor High School, where he played both football and basketball. On the gridiron, Jenkins blossomed into one of the area’s most productive receivers during his senior season, recording 44 receptions for 1,002 yards and 16 touchdowns. That performance earned him first-team all-conference honors and the Free Lance-Star Male Athlete of the Year award.
At Chancellor, Jenkins set five school receiving records, including marks for career receiving yards and career receiving touchdowns. He was rated a three-star recruit and initially committed to play college football for the Old Dominion Monarchs. He later changed course and chose to attend Saint Francis, where he joined his friend and former high school quarterback Jason Brown.
Path to Professional Football
Jenkins redshirted as a freshman at Saint Francis in 2017 and saw limited action the following year, catching five passes for 52 yards. His breakthrough came in 2019, when he finished with 39 receptions for 779 yards and set a school record with 13 receiving touchdowns, earning second-team All-Northeast Conference recognition. The 2020 season was canceled by Saint Francis because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shaped his next move.
Seeking a higher level of competition, Jenkins transferred to the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2021 and appeared in 12 games, totaling eight receptions for 117 yards. He entered the NCAA transfer portal again in 2022 and joined the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. In his only season with the Yellow Jackets, Jenkins appeared in all 12 games, started 11, and recorded 17 catches for 316 yards with three touchdowns. He was invited to the Hula Bowl at the conclusion of his college career.
E.J. Jenkins Career
Early Career (2023)
Jenkins impressed scouts at his pro day, but he went unselected in the 2023 NFL draft. He signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent and went to training camp with the organization. During the preseason, he caught three passes for 23 yards, showing flashes as a receiving tight end. Jenkins was waived by the Jets at the final roster cuts on August 29, 2023.
Shortly after his release, Jenkins found a new opportunity. On November 1, 2023, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles to their practice squad, giving him a chance to develop within a contending organization. He was released from that practice squad on November 14, ending his first stint with the team.
Las Vegas Raiders (2024)
Jenkins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders to their practice squad on January 2, 2024, just before the team’s season finale. The short-term agreement gave him a brief look within the Raiders’ system. He was released by Las Vegas on January 15, 2024, closing a short chapter with the organization.
Philadelphia Eagles (2024–Present)
Jenkins returned to the Philadelphia Eagles by signing a reserve/future contract on January 18, 2024. He was waived on August 27 as part of roster trimming, then re-signed to the practice squad. On December 7, Jenkins was promoted to the active roster. In Week 18 against the New York Giants, he made his first career catch and touchdown on a 7-yard pass from quarterback Tanner McKee, a memorable milestone in his rookie season. Jenkins won a Super Bowl championship when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX.
On August 26, 2025, Jenkins was waived by the Eagles as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, keeping him within the Philadelphia organization as he continued his development.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 6 inches and roughly 245 pounds, Jenkins brings the size NFL teams look for in a move tight end. He is at his best when working the middle of the field and using his frame to box out smaller defenders, while showing reliable hands in short and intermediate areas of the route tree.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jenkins’s signature moments include his first NFL reception and touchdown against the New York Giants in Week 18 of the 2023 season, and his Super Bowl LIX championship with the Philadelphia Eagles following their 40–22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
E.J. Jenkins Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Jenkins grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and built a close friendship with Chancellor High School quarterback Jason Brown, a relationship that helped lead him to Saint Francis. Beyond his connection with Brown, additional details about his family background are not publicly documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
Jenkins is known by the nickname “E. J.” and keeps an active presence on social media, including on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. He has not publicly shared verified information about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Jenkins began the 2025 season with the Philadelphia Eagles after winning Super Bowl LIX the previous February. On August 26, 2025, he was waived as part of the Eagles’ final roster cuts, a common transaction for developmental players entering a new year. He was re-signed to the practice squad the following day, allowing the organization to retain his rights and continue his growth within their system.
For the 2025 campaign, Jenkins remains a depth tight end whose combination of size and prior in-game experience gives him a clear developmental track. His first career touchdown and his championship ring provide a foundation on which to build a more consistent role on offense or special teams.
Looking ahead, Jenkins’s main objective is to earn a more permanent place on the Eagles’ active 53-man roster. If he can stay healthy and capitalize on his red-zone size, he has a realistic path to becoming a regular contributor in Philadelphia’s tight end rotation.