Tampa linebacker Terrance Jenkins commits to UTC

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's recent run of All-Southern Conference and All-America linebackers helped the Mocs land a commitment from a two-star prospect.

Linebacker Terrance Jenkins, from Plant High School in Tampa, Fla., committed to UTC on Monday after taking his official visit last weekend.

"That was a big part of me making my decision," he said of the postseason honors earned by recent players, including rising senior Wes Dothard, a two-time All-SoCon pick and 2011 All-American. "I saw that they have productive linebackers, and for them to play at that level they have to have a good coach."

Mocs defensive coordinator Adam Fuller also coaches the linebackers, and he handles UTC's recruiting in Florida. UTC returns seniors Dothard and Gunner Miller, but the Mocs have to find a third starter. Of the linebackers on the roster, only Dothard and Miller have started a game or received significant playing time at the position.

In 12 games for the Panthers in 2012, Jenkins had 116 tackles, including 20 in one game, and six sacks. He said one reason he chose the Mocs over Florida Atlantic, a Football Bowl Subdivision program, is because football seemed to matter more at UTC.

"FAU is [an FBS] school, but I'd rather go to a smaller school where football is important," he said. "Before I visited UTC I was still wide open. But once I got there I started hanging out with some of the players, the coaches, and I just knew that's where I would end up going."

Jenkins is UTC's ninth commitment in what the Mocs hope will be a signing class of 16. National signing day is Feb. 6.