ESPN RISE

Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) senior linebacker Jelani Jenkins is the nation's No. 9 football recruit in the ESPNU 150. He has signed with defending national champ Florida, where he could see playing time right away.

ESPN RISE: What would be the dream scenario for your future?

Jenkins: Ultimately a lot of money. That comes by being successful and having a great family. The plan is NFL and then business once my career is over. My dream team is the Washington Redskins because that's my home team and my favorite team.

ESPN RISE: Realistically, where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

Jenkins: I see myself in the NFL as an All-Pro. I see myself making a significant impact. I'll be grown, mature and able to handle all the challenges that will be thrown my way at that point.

ESPN RISE: If for some reason your sport doesn't pan out, what do you want to do with your future?

Jenkins: I want to own my own business; something dealing with sports medicine and fitness. It's just something I've been interested in the last couple of years and it's something I want to major in at college. I've always liked helping out people and making them feel better. I feel better about myself when I help other people.

ESPN RISE: Put yourself in charge of the high school sports world. What do you think needs to change the most?

Jenkins: Some people have a problem with them more than others, but I was never a combine guy. I wouldn't base it all from seeing what people do at combines. I think the recruit rankings for the most part are based on what people do at combines. I think there are a lot of fitness instructors and trainers to get people ready for a combine. But it doesn't show too much football knowledge. Some people know the right technique to have a better bench press. It's better to show it on the field.

ESPN RISE: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing high school sports?

Jenkins: I think a lot of high schools should learn how to deal with the recruiting process. I know at that age, kids aren't really mature. The way my father taught me was to only say the positives about things. A lot of kids, they don't exactly think about what they say before they say it. I know that's a problem because a lot of people in the media are trying to make money. If you say something wrong, they're going to make it the next front-page article. In terms of recruiting, they should have a recruiting specialist on how to deal with recruiting sites. A lot of kids are too trusting.

ESPN RISE: How do you think high school sports will be different for the next generation of stars?

Jenkins: I think they're going to become a lot bigger and faster than they are now. A lot of high school teams will try to incorporate what colleges do now. You already see the spread offense, which is successful. I think whatever is popular in the NFL or college, they'll start using it. I haven't heard of the A-11 offense, but it sounds crazy. In my head, I'm trying to think how I'd stop it.

ESPN RISE: In what ways do you think these tough economic times will impact the future of high school sports?

RISE: I don't think the economy will affect sports at all. I think a lot of people don't even focus on that when it comes to sports. Sports are a way to be entertained and forget about all those troubles. If you don't have enough money, then you don't have enough money. But it's a good way to avoid thinking about the troubles going on. I think entertainment and sports will always be there.

ESPN RISE: What is one change you'd like to see made to recruiting?

Jenkins: I think that there should be a lot more programs to help with the recruiting process. They could use different programs at different camps. A lot of people pick teams for their uniforms or somebody who had a good year, like a trendy school, rather than look at the big picture like the academics or how they can help you get to the NFL.

ESPN RISE: How will technology impact high school sports and recruiting?

Jenkins: I think it will have a tremendous effect. With the 2008 class, they had the college coaches texting. Now it's advanced through Facebook. I know they have people messaging you on Facebook from different schools. At one point, I had 50 friend requests from students at different schools. As soon as I'd add one, they'd send a long message about why I should pick their school.

I never really read them in the first place. In Facebook, you can message without being their friend. There were a couple people I had to block because they wouldn't leave me alone. They have this new chat thing where they try to talk to you all the time. I think the only way to avoid it is to block people. But it wasn't just people at the school. It was younger kids, alumni, high school players from around the country and even one teacher at a college.

ESPN RISE: What's going to become the biggest trend in high school sports during the next decade?

Jenkins: I've been hearing from different colleges that a lot of colleges are starting to look for defenders to stop the spread. At least 10 different colleges told me that. They're searching for the hybrid defender who can play in the box as well as cover, and I think that helps out with substitutions being made. Offenses in general are able to succeed because they can recognize a defense right away. The hybrid defender will limit them from being able to guess right.

ESPN RISE: Is there any lesson you learned during high school that will help you in your future?

Jenkins: I think with anything, if you have the chance to think something over, it's best to take the time to make sure you make the right decision, especially with college. College coaches have their own life, too. If they get offered more money to go somewhere else, they may just do that. Don't just choose a college because of a coach. Choose it because you'll be comfortable there for the next four years.