Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090036
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Long
Coming out of Jefferson Forest High School in 1993, Bryan Jennings couldn't help but think he held the whole football world in his big hands.
If any football player had it all, it was supposed to be this guy. Size, speed, ability ... the whole package, plus some.
``I looked at Bryan as a guy who one day I might see play on TV on Sundays'' in the NFL, said Bob Christmas, Jennings' high school coach. ``That's how great he was for us. Bryan had all the tools - he had good size, he could catch it and he could run with it. He was definitely what you'd call the prototype tight end.''
The tiny town of Forest may have been hard to find, but there weren't enough woods to hide Jennings. Parade All-Americans are hard to miss.
When Jennings committed to Virginia Tech on Jan.20, 1993, the Hokies were convinced they had a guy who might be the best tight end in school history.
But little did the Tech coaches - and for that matter, Jennings - realize it would take so long for this Parade All-American to march.
Now, after two frustrating seasons of sour notes, the band, at last, is playing some sweet music for Bryan Jennings.
``I felt like this year had to be my coming-out party,'' Jennings said.
``I know some people probably look at my numbers [at Tech] and say I'm an underachiever. I know I have that question asked a lot when I go home. They expected more out of me, and I expected more out of myself, just because I was a Parade All-American.''
After catching six passes and scoring one touchdown in his first two years at Tech, the 6-foot-2, 248-pound junior has caught 15 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown for this year's Hokies (7-2).
Not eye-popping numbers, granted. But after playing sparingly his sophomore season because of severe tendinitis in his left knee, Jennings simply is glad to contribute.
``The first two years were difficult for me,'' he said. ``I was the man, so to speak, in high school and it was very tough to come in here and sit.
``My first year wasn't so bad. I caught a pass in my first college game. And I could understand playing behind a guy like [John] Burke [now with the NFL's New England Patriots]. I learned a lot behind him.
``Last year, though, was a lot tougher. My knee was killing me. I was young and I was scared. I wondered at times if it wasn't going to take me right out of football.
``I was playing behind Kevin Martin. I sort of felt like an outcast. Everybody else was lifting [weights] and practicing, and here I am doing a little of whatever. It was tough, believe me.''
Jennings underwent surgery on his knee following last season's Gator Bowl. After sitting out spring practice in April, Jennings gradually has blossomed into the force Tech expected him to be. Finally.
``It's been a slow process for me,'' Jennings said. ``Now, at last, I'm starting to feel good about myself again.''
That spells trouble for Tech's opponents, including Temple, which takes on the Hokies at 1 p.m. Saturday at RFK Stadium in Washington.
While the big tight end hasn't gotten the ball as much as he would like, he has been dangerous when it has come his way. Jennings has popped a couple of 37-yarders the past two games, including one for a touchdown in Tech's 27-0 victory at West Virginia on Oct.28.
``That one really felt good,'' Jennings said. ``It had been a while since I'd seen an end zone.''
Another Bryan has liked what he's seen, too. Bryan Stinespring, Tech's tight ends coach, said Jennings is performing like the blue-chipper he was supposed to be.
``I really thought last year was going to be this year for Bryan,'' Stinespring said. ``But he just wasn't healthy, and it threw him off.
``He's worked hard to come back and he's done the job. He has great hands, great hand-eye coordination. He doesn't drop many [passes] at all. He can make the tough catch, he can get downfield, he blocks well, he's a complete player.''
While Jennings makes it clear he doesn't want to rock Tech's boat, he would like to get the ball more often. After two years of deprivation, Mr. Jennings craves action.
``I'm not complaining, but I'm not getting the ball as much as I want,'' he said. ``I go to Rutgers and see a [Marco] Battaglia [an All-America candidate], and, yeah, in the back of my mind I wonder what I could do if I got the ball as many times as he did. I guess I feel like I can make plays to help change the game.''
Stinespring noted Jennings' 15 receptions are only nine fewer than the total for the team leader, senior flanker Bryan Still.
``It's not like Bryan Still has 40 catches and Bryan has 10,'' Stinespring said. ``You have to look at our offensive diversity. Hey, we've got Ken Oxendine, Dwayne Thomas, Marcus Parker, Bryan Still, Jermaine Holmes and Bryan Jennings. It's almost like a basketball team with a lot of great 3-point shooters. There's only so many shots to go around right now.
``To me, though, it's nice to know that Bryan is slightly frustrated, that he does want the ball more. I think great players want the ball in their hands, and that's exactly what he is.''
After what he's gone through since high school, Jennings will take it and run with it.
``When I came here, I felt Tech was a program on the rise,'' Jennings said. ``I wanted to be one of the players to come in here and help change things around. I wanted to be a part of that, and, at last, I feel like I really am.''
by CNB