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2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Cole Jenkins, LS, Buffalo State College

Buffalo State longsnapper Cole Jenkins is one of the best small school long snappers in the country. He recently sat down with NFL Draft Diamonds owner Damond Talbot.
  • Name:  Cole Jenkins
  • Position:  Long Snapper
  • College:  Buffalo State College
  • Height:  6’2
  • Weight:  245lbs
  • Twitter:  @colejenkins78
  • Instagram:  @oldmanjenkins52

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2022 NFL Draft

​I believe I will be the best long snapper in this years NFL draft because of the consistency and efficiency I’ve developed working with my long snapping coach Kyle Stelter and the standards and work ethic I’ve been taught from my coaches at East Aurora High School, Buffalo State College, and my parents.  My film will show a player that is not phased by the moment and will do his job to the best of my abilities whether it is the first punt of the game or a game-winning field goal attempt.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

​I started playing football at the age of 9.  When I first started playing, I was actually over the weight limit to play and for a lot of kids that would probably discourage them to continue with it but I knew right from the beginning that this was what I wanted to do.  It was not long after when I made the conscious decision to dedicate my entire life to this game.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

​NFL teams should know that I’m going to give it everything I have and will lead by example.  I take pride in always trying to be the hardest worker in the room.  I am not going to allow someone to outwork me because effort is something I can control.  

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

​If I could donate to one cause it would without a doubt be to mental health resources.  This country is in a mental health crisis and for the first time, a light is being shined on something that almost everybody goes through.  Help should always be available to someone struggling with these issues and it is important to know that it is normal.

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

​The best advice I’ve ever received was to have a specific goal and to write down that goal.  I have had “NFL” written in my room since high school as a daily reminder of the goal I am striving for.

Who was your childhood hero? 

​My childhood hero was Ray Lewis.  His love for the game and the intensity in which he played it was always something I wanted to emulate growing up.  He’s a true inspiration on and off the field.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

​The most underrated current teammate of mine is Henry Palermo.  Henry was a walk-on offensive lineman who won the starting center job through his hard work and lead by example attitude.  Shows up every day ready to compete.

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

​My biggest pet peeve is a bad attitude.  Your attitude is something you can control and a negative attitude is infectious, especially in a football locker room.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

​I’ve battled mental health issues for as long as I can remember but because of great support groups, such as friends and family, I no longer allow it to affect me.  Going through what I’ve been through has just made me mentally capable of handling anything thrown my way.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

​Buffalo State is home to me.  I grew up about 25 minutes from campus and always knew I wanted to be a part of a program close to home.  Little did I know the impact Buffalo State would have on my life and I will be forever grateful for the relationships I’ve made along the way and the man this program has helped me become.

What is your favorite snack food? 

Gushers

What is the best part of football? 

​The best part of football is the preparation.  There is no other sport where you practice more than you play, or at least to the degree that football does it.  Hours of training, film study, practice, recovery, and team bonding, all just to go to war with your brothers for a couple of hours once a week.  

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say? 

​No other man is willing to give up, what I’m willing to give up.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be? 

​If I had to compare my play to someone in the NFL it would have to be Zach Triner, Long Snapper for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Zach and I both come from a small school college and we both have a lacrosse background.  Zach has bounced around the league but has shown the dedication and persistence needed to succeed in this business after finally winning the starting job in Tampa Bay.  I know I have the traits to become a reliable and athletic long snapper in the NFL just as Zach Trinerhas shown thus far.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

​If I could have dinner with three people dead or alive, it would be Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Leonardo DiCaprio.  I would pick Kobe and Lebron just to be able to pick their brain to see what makes them tick and Leonardo DiCaprio because he is the GOAT actor and has to be a pretty interesting guy.

Damond Talbot

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at nfldraftdiamonds@gmail.com

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