April 21, 2001
NEW YORK, N.Y. -
Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and tailback LaMont Jordan were drafted in the second round of the annual NFL draft on Saturday, with Jenkins going 44th overall to the Carolina Panthers and Jordan going five selections later to the New York Jets.
The two Terps are the highest Maryland draftees since defensive back Chad Scott was taken in the first round (24th choice overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1996.
Jenkins saw his draft status rise with a solid senior season -- easily the best of his four-year major college career -- in addition to impressive showings in postseason all-star action and the NFL combine in February. A second team All-ACC choice in 2000, Jenkins led the Terps in tackles for loss (17) and sacks (8) this past season. He had 62 total tackles as a senior while starting all 11 games. In four seasons, he totaled 154 tackles, 24 TFL's and 9.5 sacks.
Jordan ended his career last November as the all-time leading rusher in school history and the third-leading rusher in ACC annals. Jordan, who totaled 4,147 career rushing yards, also owns Maryland career marks for all-purpose yards (4,960) and 100-yard rushing games (18). He rushed for 36 touchdowns in his career. The highlight of Jordan's career was his junior season of 1999, when he set school records for rushing yards in a season (1,632), touchdowns in a season (16) and single-game rushing yards (306 vs. Virginia).
