Austin Seferian-Jenkins

{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Austin Seferian-Jenkins

| image = Austin Seferian-Jenkins.JPG

| alt =

| caption = Seferian-Jenkins with the New York Jets in 2017

| number = 87, 88

| position = Tight end

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|9|29}}

| birth_place = Fox Island, Washington, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 5

| weight_lbs = 262

| high_school = Gig Harbor {{nowrap|(Gig Harbor, Washington)}}

| college = Washington (2011–2013)

| draftyear = 2014

| draftround = 2

| draftpick = 38

| pastteams = * Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2014}}–{{NFL Year|2016}})

| highlights = * John Mackey Award (2013)

| statweek =

| statseason =

| statlabel1 = Receptions

| statvalue1 = 116

| statlabel2 = Receiving yards

| statvalue2 = 1,160

| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns

| statvalue3 = 11

| pfr = SefeAu00

}}

Austin Edward Seferian-Jenkins (born September 29, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football for the Washington Huskies. He also played for the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Early life

Seferian-Jenkins attended Gig Harbor High School in Gig Harbor, Washington.{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Mason |date=August 16, 2010 |title=Gig Harbor tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins chooses Washington |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/gig-harbor-tight-end-austin-seferian-jenkins-chooses-washington/ |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} He played football for the Gig Harbor High School Tides.{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Mason |date=September 1, 2010 |title=Washington recruit Austin Seferian-Jenkins is part of talented senior class |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/washington-recruit-austin-seferian-jenkins-is-part-of-talented-senior-class/ |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} He had 126 receptions during his career and played in the 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Seferian-Jenkins was ranked as the second-ranked tight end prospect in his class, behind Nick O'Leary and ahead of Jace Amaro.{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins, 2011 Tight End |url=https://rivals.com/content/athletes/austin-seferian-jenkins-18546?view=pv |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}} He chose his home-state school, The University of Washington, over offers from Alabama, Miami (FL), Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Southern California, and Texas because Washington was the only big school to offer him the opportunity to play both basketball and football.

College career

As a true freshman in the 2011 season, Seferian-Jenkins started 10 of 13 games and had 41 receptions for 538 yards and six touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/austin-seferian-jenkins-1/gamelog/2011 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In addition to football, he played basketball as a freshman.{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Percy |date=January 9, 2012 |title=Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins will play basketball |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-basketball/washington-tight-end-austin-seferian-jenkins-will-play-basketball/ |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}} In his sophomore season, he recorded 69 receptions for 852 yards and seven touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/austin-seferian-jenkins-1/gamelog/2012 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He finished third in the Mackey Award voting.{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2012 |title=ND's Eifert wins Mackey Award over Seferian-Jenkins, Ertz |url=http://blog.thenewstribune.com/uwsports/2012/12/05/nds-eifert-wins-mackey-award-over-seferian-jenkins-ertz/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913131437/http://blog.thenewstribune.com/uwsports/2012/12/05/nds-eifert-wins-mackey-award-over-seferian-jenkins-ertz/ |archive-date=September 13, 2016 |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=The News Tribune}} Upon completing his sophomore season, he had already set Washington records with 110 receptions, 1,390 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns for the tight end position.{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington, NFL Draft |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2028290/austin-seferianjenkins |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=CBSSports.com}} On August 12, 2013, Seferian-Jenkins suffered a broken pinkie during practice.{{Cite web |last=Hinnen |first=Jerry |date=August 13, 2013 |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins breaks pinkie, will have surgery |url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/23137544/austin-seferian-jenkins-breaks-pinkie-will-have-surgery |access-date=August 15, 2013 |website=CBSSports.com}} Head coach Steve Sarkisian announced the next day that Seferian-Jenkins will have to undergo surgery to repair the broken pinkie. Following Washington's 31–16 victory in the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl, he announced he would leave school early and enter the 2014 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Jude |first=Adam |date=December 27, 2013 |title=UW's Austin Seferian-Jenkins declares for NFL Draft |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/huskyfootball/2013/12/27/uws-austin-seferian-jenkins-declares-for-nfl-draft/ |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=Seattle Times}} He finished his last year with Washington with 36 receptions for 450 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/austin-seferian-jenkins-1/gamelog/2013 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}

=College statistics=

class="wikitable sortable"

! colspan="13" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Washington Huskies football}}"| Washington Huskies

Year

!G

!Rec

!Yds

!Avg

!TD

2011

|13

|41

|538

|13.1

|6

2012

|13

|69

|852

|12.3

|7

2013

|12

|36

|450

|12.5

|8

[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/austin-seferian-jenkins-1.html Career]

|38

|146

|1,840

|12.6

|21

Professional career

=Pre-draft=

Seferian-Jenkins was a projected a second-round selection by CBS Sports in the 2014 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft - 2014 NFL Draft Prospects - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/2014/TE |access-date=August 30, 2016 |publisher=CBSSports.com}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 5+1/2

| weight = 262

| dash = 4.56

| ten split =

| twenty split =

| shuttle =

| cone drill =

| vertical = 37+1/2

| broad ft =

| broad in =

| bench = 20

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 33+3/4

| hand span = 9+3/4

| note = All values from NFL Combine except 40 yd dash and Vertical from private workout{{Cite web |last=Nawrocki |first=Nolan |date=February 13, 2013 |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Austin Seferian-Jenkins |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/austin-seferian-jenkins?id=2543683 |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins - Washington Huskies - 2016 Player Profile |url=http://www.rotoworld.com/player/cfb/131399/austin-seferianjenkins/ |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=Rotoworld.com}}}}

=Tampa Bay Buccaneers=

==2014 season==

Seferian-Jenkins was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round with the 38th overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2014 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/draft.htm |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In his rookie season, Sefarian-Jenkins played in nine games making 21 catches for 221 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SefeAu00/gamelog/2014 |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} On October 26, he caught his first career touchdown, which was a seven-yard pass from Mike Glennon, against the Minnesota Vikings.{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - October 26th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201410260tam.htm |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He caught his second and last touchdown of the season, a one-yard pass from Josh McCown, against the Atlanta Falcons.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - November 9th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201411090tam.htm |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} His season was cut short by an injury, landing him on the team's injured reserve list.{{Cite web |last=Mello |first=Igor |date=December 15, 2014 |title=Bucs place Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Louis Murphy on IR |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bucs-place-austin-seferian-jenkins-louis-murphy-on-ir/ |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=CBSSports.com}}

==2015 season==

In the 2015 season, with rookie quarterback and first overall pick Jameis Winston, Seferian-Jenkins looked to expand on his rookie season. He had a career day in a season opening loss to the Tennessee Titans. He had five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns, which were a five-yard reception in the second quarter and a 41-yard reception in the fourth quarter.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - September 13th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201509130tam.htm |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} Both of Seferian-Jenkins's touchdowns were the first touchdown passes of Winston's NFL career. Seferian-Jenkins's remainder of his 2015 season would not have the success he had in the season opener. He only scored two more touchdowns on the season, which were a nine-yard reception from Winston against the St. Louis Rams{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams - December 17th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512170ram.htm |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} and a 43-yard reception from Winston against the Chicago Bears.{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - December 27th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512270tam.htm |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He played in seven games with 338 receiving yards and four touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SefeAu00/gamelog/2015 |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

==2016 season==

Seferian-Jenkins played in the season opener against the Falcons at the Georgia Dome. He had one reception for 30 yards and a touchdown,{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons - September 11th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609110atl.htm |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} which would be his only one of the 2016 season. He played one more game with the Buccaneers on September 18, which was against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium. He had two receptions for 14 yards in the 40–7 loss.{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals - September 18th, 2016 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201609180crd.htm |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} On September 23, 2016, Seferian-Jenkins was arrested on a DUI charge and was released by the Buccaneers later that day.{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Conor |date=September 23, 2016 |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins arrested on DUI charge |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/austin-seferian-jenkins-arrested-on-dui-charge-0ap3000000708050 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2016 |title=Buccaneers Waive TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/buccaneers-waive-te-austin-seferian-jenkins-17748792 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Buccaneers.com}}

=New York Jets=

==2016 season==

On September 26, 2016, Seferian-Jenkins was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets.{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Eric |date=September 26, 2016 |title=Jets Claim TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-claim-te-austin-seferian-jenkins-17769825 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}

Seferian-Jenkins recorded 10 total receptions for 110 yards in seven games with the Jets.{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SefeAu00/gamelog/2016 |access-date=July 29, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}

==2017 season==

On March 15, 2017, Seferian-Jenkins was suspended the first two weeks of the 2017 season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=March 15, 2017 |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins suspended two games by NFL |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/austin-seferian-jenkins-suspended-two-games-by-nfl-0ap3000000793306 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}

During Week 6 against the New England Patriots, Seferian-Jenkins was thought to have fumbled inches from the endzone, resulting in a touchback. The call was controversial, since he retained possession going to the ground and only momentarily appeared to shift the ball as he crossed the goal line, but ultimately the error loomed large, as the Jets lost the game 17–24.{{Cite web |last=Slater |first=Darryl |date=October 16, 2017 |title=Ref says overturning Jets' TD vs. Pats was 'obvious' |url=https://www.nj.com/jets/2017/10/here_is_referees_explanation_for_controversial_aus.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=NJ.com |language=en}} He played in 13 games, of which he started ten, in the 2017 season. He finished with 50 receptions for 357 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SefeAu00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

=Jacksonville Jaguars=

On March 15, 2018, Seferian-Jenkins signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{Cite web |last=Wesseling |first=Chris |date=March 15, 2018 |title=Jaguars sign ex-Jets TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/jaguars-sign-ex-jets-te-austin-seferian-jenkins-0ap3000000921554 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |last=Oehser |first=John |date=March 15, 2018 |title=OFFICIAL: Seferian-Jenkins signs |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/official-seferian-jenkins-signs-20457749 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Jaguars.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on October 9, 2018, after aggravating a core muscle injury.{{Cite web |last=DiRocco |first=Michael |date=October 9, 2018 |title=Jags to put Corey Grant, Austin Seferian-Jenkins on IR |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24931906/jacksonville-jaguars-put-corey-grant-austin-seferian-jenkins-ir |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2018 |title=Jaguars sign running backs Jamaal Charles and Dave Williams, promote tight end David Grinnage to active roster |url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-sign-running-backs-jamaal-charles-and-dave-williams-promote-tight-end-da |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Jaguars.com}} He played in five games in the 2018 season. He recorded 11 receptions for 90 receiving yards and one touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SefeAu00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On February 18, 2019, the Jaguars declined the option on Seferian-Jenkins' contract, making him a free agent at the start of the new league year.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |date=February 18, 2019 |title=Jaguars decline option for Austin Seferian-Jenkins |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/02/18/jaguars-decline-option-for-austin-seferian-jenkins/ |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |publisher=NBC Sports}}

=New England Patriots=

On April 10, 2019, Seferian-Jenkins signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots.{{Cite web |last=Patra |first=Kevin |date=April 10, 2019 |title=Patriots sign TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins to 1-year deal |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001025923/article/patriots-sign-te-austin-seferianjenkins-to-1year-deal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410184033/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001025923/article/patriots-sign-te-austin-seferianjenkins-to-1year-deal |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=NFL.com}} He was released on June 4, 2019, citing personal issues.{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2019 |title=Patriots Release Tight End Austin Seferian-Jenkins |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-release-tight-end-austin-seferian-jenkins |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Patriots.com |language=en-US}}

=NFL statistics=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

! rowspan="2" |Year

! rowspan="2" |Team

! colspan="2" |Games

! colspan="7" |Receiving

!

GPGSTgtRecYdsAvgTDLngY/GFum
2014

! TB

|9

|9

|38

|21

|221

|10.5

|2

|30

|24.6

|1

2015

! TB

|7

|3

|39

|21

|338

|16.1

|4

|43

|48.3

|0

rowspan="2"|2016

! TB

|2

|0

|3

|3

|44

|14.7

|1

|30

|22.0

|0

NYJ

|7

|2

|17

|10

|110

|11.0

|0

|19

|15.7

|0

2017

! NYJ

|13

|10

|74

|50

|357

|7.1

|3

|28

|27.5

|1

2018

! JAX

|5

|5

|19

|11

|90

|8.2

|1

|21

|18.0

|0

colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SefeAu00.htm Career]

!43

!29

!190

!116

!1160

!10.0

!11

!43

!27.0

!2

Personal life

On March 9, 2013, Seferian-Jenkins was cited for driving under the influence in the University District of Seattle.{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Mike |date=March 10, 2013 |title=UW football tight-end Seferian-Jenkins arrested for DUI | The Today File | Seattle Times |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/03/uw-football-tight-end-seferian-jenkinsa-arrested-for-dui/ |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=Seattle Times}} In July 2013, he pleaded guilty to DUI and served a day in jail.{{Cite web |last=Jude |first=Adam |date=July 25, 2013 |title=Report: UW's Seferian-Jenkins has served his day in jail | Husky Football Blog | Seattle Times |url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/huskyfootball/2013/07/25/report-uws-seferian-jenkins-has-served-his-day-in-jail/ |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=Seattle Times}}{{Cite web |last=Watson |first=Graham |date=March 10, 2013 |title=Washington star tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins arrested for DUI |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/washington-star-tight-end-austin-seferian-jenkins-arrested-183313343--ncaaf.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Yahoo! Sports |language=en-US}} The football team suspended Seferian-Jenkins for one game, the Huskies' 2013 season opener against Boise State.{{Cite web |last=Axson |first=Scooby |date=August 30, 2013 |title=Report: Washington TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins suspended for Boise State game |url=https://www.si.com/si-wire/2013/08/30/washington-austin-seferian-jenkins-suspended-one-game |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated}}

In addition, Seferian-Jenkins was cited for DUI on the morning of Friday, September 23, 2016. He was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the same day of the incident.{{Cite news |last=Bonesteel |first=Matt |date=September 23, 2016 |title=Buccaneers cut tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins after second DUI |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/09/23/bucs-te-austin-seferian-jenkins-gets-another-dui/ |access-date=February 13, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US}}

In May 2017, Seferian-Jenkins opened up regarding his struggles with alcohol, and indicated that he had sought help by attending rehab on an outpatient basis.{{Cite web |last=Cimini |first=Rich |date=May 30, 2017 |title=Jets' Austin Seferian-Jenkins sought help for drinking problem |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19499429/new-york-jets-te-austin-seferian-jenkins-admits-seeking-help-drinking-problem |access-date=January 22, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}

Seferian-Jenkins was arrested for DUI for a third time on March 9, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Gantt |first=Darin |date=March 16, 2020 |title=Austin Seferian-Jenkins arrested again |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/03/16/austin-seferian-jenkins-arrested-again/ |access-date=May 3, 2020 |website=NBCSports.com}}

On January 31, 2022, Seferian-Jenkins was arrested for fourth-degree assault, felony harassment and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.{{Cite web |last=Glenn |first=Stacia |date=January 31, 2021 |title=Former NFL player charged in Pierce County with beating ex-girlfriend, making threats |url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/crime/article257899398.html |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=The News Tribune}}

See also

References

{{Reflist|30em}}