Gateway grad Jayson Jenkins shines in 1st game adding punting duties for Robert Morris

Jayson Jenkins is getting the hang of college punting.

The Gateway graduate and special teams standout as a graduate student on the Robert Morris football team earned Northeast Conference Co-Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts in the Colonials’ opener Aug. 30 at West Virginia.

In his first career game as a punter, Jenkins averaged 41.2 yards on his 11 kicks and placed five balls inside the 20.

He also added a 36-yard field goal for his team’s only points in the 45-3 loss to the Mountaineers.

“It was definitely an honor to be selected for that award,” Jenkins said. “It is a reflection of the hard work I put in to be ready to go in that big atmosphere.”

For the NEC weekly honors, a player is nominated by the school’s sports information director, and the NEC selects the winners from that nomination pool.

Jenkins said he went into his first game as a punter with a lot of confidence.

That confidence, he said, was supported by those around him, including his long snapper, senior Serra Catholic graduate Zach Weber, and the coverage crew that ran to cover each kick.

“Zach and I have been working together for four years now,” Jenkins said. “I always know he’s going to do his job and get the ball to me. The coverage guys really work to get there, and we’re one solid unit working together.”

Jenkins added punting to his duties upon the departure of last year’s punter, Steven Earnest.

“There is still a competition every day,” he said. “I can’t rest on what I’ve already done. I have to stay confident in my abilities and put in the work in practice. Leadership and experience are big in helping me continuing doing what I do.”

Jenkins’ game experience, RMU special teams coordinator Ty Aeschbacher said, helped the coaches with the decision to have him do all three.

“He’s been battle tested,” Aeschbacher said.

“He’s seen it all to this point. Not only is it his experience on the field but having him as a leader in the locker room and also outside the game. All that experience he has being here for what seems like forever makes our special teams unit that much stronger. He’s seen the highs and lows, and it helps us in all aspects having him there for one more season.”

Aeschbacher said that experience helped Jenkins keep his cool under some pressure situations on WVU’s home field.

“It was awesome to see all the work pay off on that stage,” he said. “It was awesome to look up at that big board and see Jayson kicking the way he did. He put us in great positions in terms of field position and put points up on the board as well.”

Aeschbacher said it will be nice to see what Jenkins will be able to accomplish over the rest of the season.

“He is still competing, not only against himself but against everyone else,” he said. “He understands that really well, and he comes to practice every day still looking for ways to get better and ways to perform his best.”

Jenkins and his RMU teammates got back to work last Saturday with a nonconference test at Youngstown State. The Colonials open the home portion of their schedule this Saturday at 6 p.m. against West Liberty State.

Jenkins is coming off a 2024 season in which he earned second-team All-NEC honors. Kicking in all 12 games for RMU, he tied a career high with a 45-yard field goal at Central Connecticut State.

He added a 43-yard field goal against both Long Island and St. Francis.

“Every step along the way in my (collegiate) career has gotten me to where I am now,” Jenkins said. “I appreciate every moment. This year is another chance to be better.”

Jenkins said he would like to go after a new personal field goal record if the opportunity presents itself.

“Hopefully, I don’t have to kick one that long,” Jenkins said. “The top thing is us being able to score touchdowns. But if I find myself in that position, I will be ready.”

Jenkins now is working toward a master’s degree in organizational leadership.

He earned his undergraduate business degree in sports management in May.

Jenkins said at first, he wasn’t 100% sure he was going to come back for a final year of eligibility. But his comfort with the team, the coaches and everything else within the RMU experience led him to kick one more year.

“I know I have the opportunity to be the top kicker and punter in the conference, so that helped, too, in my decision to come back,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said amongst all the continued support for what he is able to do in the kicking game for RMU is that of his twin sister, Joelle.

“She was my best friend growing up, and she comes to literally every single game,” he said. “She is the first person I hear in the stands whenever I get on the field. I talk to her every day.”