Hall of Fame
A talented wide receiver with speed to burn, Omar Jenkins developed into one of the top high school football players in Texas while helping to lead Jesuit Dallas to back-to-back TCIL state championships in 1998 and 1999. Jenkins earned TCIL All-State honors at the end of both seasons, and was elected team MVP and TCIL Offensive Player of the Year following his senior campaign. Voted Offensive MVP of the DFW All-Star Classic, Jenkins was listed as one of the top 100 players in Texas by the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News.
Totaling 78 receptions, 1,354 yards and 14 touchdowns during his two-year Ranger career, Jenkins also shined on the track as a senior, where he was the TCIL state champion in the 400m, the 4x400m relay, and the 4x100m relay. Jenkins split a high-school best 48.1 in leading Jesuit to a Texas Relays record of 3:18.0 in the 4x400m.
Following graduation, Jenkins accepted a football scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. He made an immediate impact with the Fighting Irish, emerging as one of only two freshmen to log game day action on the offensive side of the ball, including the 2001 Fiesta Bowl. He enjoyed a strong junior campaign in which he led all Division I independents by averaging 17.1 yards per reception, while finishing the year with 37 catches for 633 yards and four touchdowns. Among his standout performances was a career-high 144 yards receiving on four catches against Navy. Entering his final year as Notre Dame’s top receiver, Jenkins was elected as a team captain prior to the season. His Irish career ended with 80 catches for 1,088 yards, five TDs, and selection as a Division 1A All-Independent honoree. At the time of his graduation, he was 18th all-time on Notre Dame’s receiving list.
Jenkins signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings after the 2004 NFL Draft, where he served one season on the Vikings’ practice squad. He played one additional year of football after signing a free agent contract with the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. Jenkins has used his success and skills to give back to the community. In 2013, he coordinated a football minicamp for Dallas-based YouthWorld, a non-profit organization that helps children and teens from low income environments achieve success in education, personal talents and goals.
