Darius Jennings
{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Darius Jennings
| image = Darius Jennings 2018 08-09.jpg
| caption = Jennings with the Tennessee Titans in 2018
| current_team =
| number = 10, 15
| position = Wide receiver, return specialist
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|6|28}}
| birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 180
| high_school = Gilman School (Baltimore)
| college = Virginia
| undraftedyear = 2015
| pastteams =
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2016}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2016}})*
- New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2016|2017}})*
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})
- Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2020}})*
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 27
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 235
| statlabel3 = Return yards
| statvalue3 = 1,052
| statlabel4 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue4 = 1
| pfr = JennDa00
}}
Darius Lamar Jennings{{Cite web |title=Darius Jennings Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JennDa00.htm |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} (born June 28, 1992) is an American former professional football wide receiver and return specialist. He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers and was signed by the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent. Jennings was also a member of the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Detroit Lions.
Early life
Darius Lamar Jennings was born to Lawrence and Dana Jennings on June 28, 1992, in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended and played high school football at The Gilman School while also lettering in basketball and track.{{Cite web |last=Bracken |first=Matt |title=Gilman's Darius Jennings keeping busy |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-03-gilmans_darius_jennings_keeping_busy-story.html |access-date=December 17, 2010 |website=baltimoresun.com |date=March 25, 2010 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216074453/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-03-gilmans_darius_jennings_keeping_busy-story.html |url-status=dead }}
College career
Jennings finished his collegiate career with 133 receptions for 1,667 yards and 11 touchdowns in 49 games and 28 starts.{{Cite web |title=Darius Jennings College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/darius-jennings-1.html |access-date=October 3, 2015 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He ranked #1 all-time in kick return yards with 1,839.{{cite web |title=Tennessee Titans Media Guide |url=https://res.cloudinary.com/nflclubs/image/upload/titans/ct2zcrbbsgezisqwnkvt.pdf |access-date=14 April 2024 |date=2018}}
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable"style="text-align:center" |
| style="font-weight:bold;" | Year
| style="font-weight:bold;" | School | style="font-weight:bold;" | Conf | style="font-weight:bold;" | Class | style="font-weight:bold;" | Pos | style="font-weight:bold;" | G | style="font-weight:bold;" | Rec | style="font-weight:bold;" | Yds | style="font-weight:bold;" | Avg | style="font-weight:bold;" | TD |
| 2011
| Virginia | ACC | FR | WR | 13 | 20 | 238 | 11.9 | 1 |
| 2012
| Virginia | ACC | SO | WR | 12 | 48 | 568 | 11.8 | 5 |
| 2013
| Virginia | ACC | JR | WR | 12 | 38 | 340 | 8.9 | 3 |
| 2014
| Virginia | ACC | SR | WR | 12 | 27 | 521 | 19.3 | 2 |
| colspan="6" style="font-weight:bold;" | Career
| style="font-weight:bold;" | 133 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 1,667 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 12.5 | style="font-weight:bold;" | 11 |
Professional career
=Cleveland Browns=
== 2015 season ==
File:Cleveland Browns vs. Washington Redskins (20589247991) (cropped).jpg
Jennings signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in May 2015.{{cite web | last=Wilson | first=Aaron | title=Browns sign former Virginia wide receiver Darius Jennings (Gilman) following minicamp tryout | website=Baltimore Sun | date=2015-05-11 | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2015/05/11/browns-sign-former-virginia-wide-receiver-darius-jennings-gilman-following-minicamp-tryout/ | access-date=2025-01-24}} He started the season on the practice squad and was promoted to the active roster in early December.[http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/12/05/browns-promote-wr-darius-jennings/ Browns promote WR Darius Jennings] Jennings was waived by the Browns on December 16, 2015,{{Cite web |last=Mary Kay Cabot |date=December 16, 2015 |title=Mike Pettine says Browns fought vs. 49ers 'and I don't know if I sensed that same attitude from the other side' |url=http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2015/12/mike_pettine_mike_pettine_says.html |access-date=December 19, 2015 |website=www.cleveland.com |publisher=Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC}} but was re-signed on December 22.{{Cite web |date=December 22, 2015 |title=Browns re-sign WR Darius Jennings, place OL John Greco on injured reserve |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-re-sign-wr-darius-jennings-place-ol-john-greco-on-injured-reserv-16556233 |access-date=December 24, 2015 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com |publisher=Cleveland Browns}}
Jennings finished his rookie season with 14 receptions for 117 yards to go along with seven returns for 158 yards in four games and one start.{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2016 |title=Browns' Darius Jennings: Provides depth in late-season games |url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/browns-darius-jennings-provides-depth-in-late-season-games/ |access-date=January 16, 2016 |work=CBS Sports}}{{Cite web |title=Darius Jennings 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JennDa00/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=January 8, 2016 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
== 2016 season ==
On April 4, 2016, the Browns re-signed Jennings.{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2016 |title=Browns sign restricted free agents and exclusive rights players |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-restricted-free-agents-and-exclusive-rights-players/25b7656a-a143-4555-a005-89b7fc6bde37 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107004416/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-restricted-free-agents-and-exclusive-rights-players/25b7656a-a143-4555-a005-89b7fc6bde37 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=April 10, 2016 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} On September 3, 2016, he was released.{{Cite web |last=Gribble |first=Andrew |date=September 3, 2016 |title=Cleveland Browns reduce roster to 53 |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Cleveland-Browns-reduce-roster-to-53/5a61e8ac-86b6-4a03-925c-c546358aaa86 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809090938/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Cleveland-Browns-reduce-roster-to-53/5a61e8ac-86b6-4a03-925c-c546358aaa86 |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} The next day, Jennings was signed to the Browns' practice squad.{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2016 |title=Browns claim 5 players, sign 4 to practice squad |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-claim-5-players-sign-4-to-practice-squad/a95c38d8-8690-446a-b808-ebd134e55f44 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824094014/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-claim-5-players-sign-4-to-practice-squad/a95c38d8-8690-446a-b808-ebd134e55f44 |archive-date=August 24, 2017 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}} He was released again on October 6, 2016.{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2016 |title=Browns sign DL Gabe Wright to practice squad |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-DL-Gabe-Wright-to-practice-squad/237678a3-bee1-45a3-a13e-9ab030e630a4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102111431/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-sign-DL-Gabe-Wright-to-practice-squad/237678a3-bee1-45a3-a13e-9ab030e630a4 |archive-date=January 2, 2017 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}}
=Chicago Bears=
On October 10, 2016, Jennings was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Mayer, Larry |date=October 10, 2016 |title=Bears elevate Bausby, waive Hurst |url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-rostermoves/Bears-elevate-Bausby-waive-Hurst/bc15c261-5890-429a-9057-0ced01970877 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102111655/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-rostermoves/Bears-elevate-Bausby-waive-Hurst/bc15c261-5890-429a-9057-0ced01970877 |archive-date=January 2, 2017 |website=ChicagoBears.com}} He was released by the Bears on November 22, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Emma, Chris |date=November 22, 2016 |title=Bears Sign De'Vante Bausby To Active Roster, Dres Anderson To Practice Squad |url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/11/22/bears-sign-devante-bausby-to-active-roster-dres-anderson-to-practice-squad/ |website=Chicago.CBSlocal.com}}
=New York Jets=
On December 6, 2016, Jennings was signed to the New York Jets' practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Allen, Eric |date=December 6, 2016 |title=Jets Waive C.J. Spiller and Jeremy Ross |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-waive-c-j-spiller-and-jeremy-ross-18216420 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 2, 2017.{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2017 |title=Jets Sign 5 Players to Reserve/Future Deals |url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-randylangefb/Jets-Sign-5-Players-to-ReserveFuture-Deals/7ba6d33b-5182-4c9a-b9be-ff89c44ba6a1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904112120/http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-randylangefb/Jets-Sign-5-Players-to-ReserveFuture-Deals/7ba6d33b-5182-4c9a-b9be-ff89c44ba6a1 |archive-date=September 4, 2017 |website=NewYorkJets.com}} On April 26, 2017, Jennings was waived by the Jets.{{Cite web |last=Allen, Eric |date=April 26, 2017 |title=Jets Waive Six Players |url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-waive-six-players-18777038 |website=NewYorkJets.com}}
=Tennessee Titans=
==2017 season==
On May 19, 2017, Jennings signed with the Tennessee Titans.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=May 19, 2017 |title=Titans Add Receiver, Fullback to Roster |url=https://www.titansonline.com/news/titans-add-receiver-fullback-to-roster-18875143 |website=TitansOnline.com}} He was waived on September 2, 2017, and was signed to the Titans' practice squad the next day.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=September 2, 2017 |title=Titans Down to 53 Players: A Position-by-Position Look |url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Down-to-53-Players-A-Position-by-Position-Look/d201b599-31f7-4441-8f65-948795805f04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206112407/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Down-to-53-Players-A-Position-by-Position-Look/d201b599-31f7-4441-8f65-948795805f04 |archive-date=February 6, 2018 |website=TitansOnline.com}}{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=September 3, 2017 |title=Titans Add Eight Players to Practice Squad |url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Add-Eight-Players-to-Practice-Squad/79a0f2c4-51e4-4704-bf1c-1e4a9c174ce8 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208182923/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Add-Eight-Players-to-Practice-Squad/79a0f2c4-51e4-4704-bf1c-1e4a9c174ce8 |archive-date=February 8, 2018 |website=TitansOnline.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 23, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=September 23, 2017 |title=Titans Promote WR Darius Jennings, Release WR Zach Pascal |url=https://www.titansonline.com/news/titans-promote-wr-darius-jennings-release-wr-zach-pascal-19432641 |website=TitansOnline.com}} He was waived on November 25, 2017, and was re-signed back to the practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=November 25, 2017 |title=Titans Activate WR Harry Douglas to 53-Man Roster |url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Activate-WR-Harry-Douglas-to-53-Man-Roster/2641e556-3705-4d2a-a3d2-8471af4fb969 |website=TitansOnline.com}}
==2018 season==
Jennings signed a reserve/future contract with the Titans on January 15, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=January 15, 2018 |title=Titans Sign 10 Players to Futures Contracts |url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Sign-10-Players-to-Futures-Contracts/0f7eea89-be52-4cad-b161-1d335b6a338c |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118070711/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Sign-10-Players-to-Futures-Contracts/0f7eea89-be52-4cad-b161-1d335b6a338c |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |website=TitansOnline.com}}
During the season-opening 27-20 road loss to the Miami Dolphins, Jennings scored his first NFL touchdown after returning a 94-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.{{Cite news |title=Titans' Darius Jennings: Returns kickoff for touchdown |language=en |work=CBSSports.com |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/titans-darius-jennings-returns-kickoff-for-touchdown/ |access-date=October 3, 2018}} During a Week 9 28-14 road victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Jennings had a 36-yard reception despite three defenders around him in the second quarter to go along with 23 return yards.{{Cite web |last=RotoWire Staff |date=November 6, 2018 |title=Titans' Daruis Jennings: Hauls in 36-yard reception |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/titans-darius-jennings-hauls-in-36-yard-reception/amp/ |access-date=November 8, 2018 |website=CBSSports.com}} In the next game against the New England Patriots, Jennings returned the opening kickoff for 58 yards and recorded a 21-yard pass completion to quarterback Marcus Mariota, the first of his career as the Titans won 34–10.{{Cite web |title=Darius Jennings returns opening kickoff for 58 yards |url=http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap3000000986343/Darius-Jennings-returns-opening-kickoff-for-58-yards |access-date=December 18, 2018 |website=NFL.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans – November 11th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201811110oti.htm |access-date=December 18, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Jennings finished the 2018 season with 22 returns for 698 yards and a touchdown to go along with 11 receptions for 101 yards and a two-yard rush in 16 games and no starts.{{Cite web |title=Darius Jennings 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JennDa00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=January 1, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} His 31.7 yards set a franchise record for average kickoff returns that also led the NFL.{{Cite web |date=December 30, 2018 |title=Titans-Colts Postgame Notes |url=https://www.titansonline.com/news/titans-colts-postgame-notes |access-date=January 1, 2019 |website=TitansOnline.com}}
==2019 season==
Jennings was released by the Titans on October 31, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=October 31, 2019 |title=Roster Move: Titans Re-Sign OL Hroniss Grasu, Release WR Darius Jennings |url=https://www.titansonline.com/news/roster-move-titans-re-sign-ol-hroniss-grasu-release-wr-darius-jennings |access-date=October 31, 2019 |website=TitansOnline.com |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031164358/https://www.titansonline.com/news/roster-move-titans-re-sign-ol-hroniss-grasu-release-wr-darius-jennings |url-status=dead }} Prior to his release, Jennings caught two passes for 17 yards and returned seven kicks for 147 yards.{{Cite web |title=Darius Jennings 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JennDa00/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=January 20, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was re-signed on December 23, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=December 23, 2019 |title=Titans Bring Back Receiver/Returner Darius Jennings, and Promote WR Rashard Davis to 53-Man Roster |url=https://www.titansonline.com/news/titans-bring-back-receiver-returner-darius-jennings-and-promote-wr-rashard-davis |website=TitansOnline.com}} In the regular-season finale against the Houston Texans, Jennings returned two kicks for 49 yards.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans – December 29th, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201912290htx.htm |access-date=December 31, 2019 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In the postseason, Jennings returned three kicks for 60 yards before the Titans lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game by a score of 35-24.
=Los Angeles Chargers=
On March 30, 2020, Jennings was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers.{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2020 |title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign Wide Receiver Darius Jennings |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-sign-wide-receiver-darius-jennings |website=Chargers.com}} He was released on September 5, 2020.{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2020 |title=We've Trimmed Our Roster to 53 |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/we-ve-reduced-our-roster-to-53 |website=Chargers.com}}
=Detroit Lions=
On August 9, 2021, Jennings signed with the Detroit Lions.{{Cite web |last=Schlitt |first=Erik |date=2021-08-09 |title=Lions activate Jalen Reeves-Maybin from reserve/COVID-19 list, sign & cut 1 player |url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/8/9/22616412/detroit-lions-activate-jalen-reeves-maybin-reserve-covid-19-list |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Pride Of Detroit |publisher=SB Nation |language=en}} He was released on August 23, 2021.
=NFL statistics=
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;" |
| Led the league |
| Bold
| Career-high |
==Regular season==
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Returning ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2015 | CLE
| 4 || 1 || 14 || 117 || 8.4 || 16 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 7 || 158 || 22.6 || 28 || 0 || 1 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | TEN
| 16 || 0 || 11 || 101 || 9.2 || 36 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 2.0 || 2 || 0 || 22 || 698 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|31.7 || 94T || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | TEN
| 8 || 0 || 2 || 17 || 8.5 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 9 || 196 || 21.8 || 26 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JennDa00.htm Career] || 27 || 1 || 27 || 235 || 8.7 || 36 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 2.0 || 2 || 0 || 38 || 1,052 || 27.7 || 94T || 1 || 1 || 0 |
==Postseason==
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Returning ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2019 | TEN
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 60 || 20.0 || 22 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JennDa00/gamelog/post/ Career] || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 60 || 20.0 || 22 || 0 || 0 || 0 |
Personal life
During the 2018 offseason, Jennings took part in the NFLPA’s Externship Program with Events DC and Under Armour. He helps out with "Next One Up," an organization helping inner-city high school athletes in Baltimore. Jennings also worked as a camp counselor at his alma mater, The Gilman (Md.) School, helping middle schoolers with classwork and activities. He has two brothers, Dimitrius Jones Jr. and Deon Jennings.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=April 16, 2019 |title=Darius Jennings |url=https://www.titansonline.com/team/players-roster/darius-jennings/ |website=TitansOnline.com}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/darius_jennings_799752.html Virginia Cavaliers bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207102008/http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/darius_jennings_799752.html |date=February 7, 2015 }}
- {{commons category-inline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jennings, Darius}}
Category:Players of American football from Baltimore
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:American football return specialists
Category:Virginia Cavaliers football players
Category:Cleveland Browns players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:Tennessee Titans players