Anfernee Jennings facts for kids
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Jennings in 2014
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| No. 33 – New England Patriots | |||||||||||
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | May 1, 1997 Dadeville, Alabama, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 255 lb (116 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Dadeville | ||||||||||
| College: | Alabama (2015–2019) | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2020 / Round: 3 / Pick: 87 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||
Anfernee Jennings (born May 1, 1997) is an American football player. He plays as a linebacker for the New England Patriots in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the Patriots, he played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Patriots chose him in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.
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Early Life and High School Football
Anfernee grew up in Dadeville, Alabama. He went to Dadeville High School. There, he played football as a defensive end and tight end for the school team, the Tigers.
High School Achievements
In his junior year, Anfernee made 171 tackles and had seven sacks. He was recognized as a top player in Alabama. As a senior, he was named the best lineman in his division. That year, he had 170 tackles and 14 sacks. Many colleges wanted him to play for them. Anfernee chose to play college football at the University of Alabama.
College Football Career
Anfernee Jennings played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He spent his first year as a "redshirt" player, meaning he practiced but did not play in games. This allowed him to get stronger and learn the team's plays. He also changed his position from defensive end to outside linebacker.
Key College Seasons
As a redshirt freshman, he was a key backup player. He made 19 tackles and helped pressure the opposing team's quarterback. In his redshirt sophomore year, he became a starter. He made 41 tackles and had one sack.
Overcoming Injury
During the 2018 Sugar Bowl, Anfernee suffered a serious leg injury. This injury caused him to miss the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship game. Doctors found he had also damaged an artery and developed a blood clot. Despite this, he worked hard to recover.
Anfernee returned to play in his redshirt junior season. He made 51 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He also caught an interception and recovered two fumbles, scoring his first touchdown on one of them. In his final college season as a redshirt senior, he had 83 tackles and 8.0 sacks. He was named a first-team All-SEC player, which means he was one of the best players in his college conference. He finished his college career with 194 tackles and 15.5 sacks.
Professional Football Career
Anfernee Jennings was chosen by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. He was the 87th player picked overall.
Early NFL Seasons
He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, against the Miami Dolphins. He played nine snaps in that game, which the Patriots won. Anfernee made his first start on October 18, 2020, against the Denver Broncos.
In 2021, Anfernee was placed on injured reserve, which meant he missed the entire season. He returned in 2022 as a backup linebacker. He played in 16 games and started three of them. He recorded 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and forced one fumble.
Recent Career
On March 15, 2024, Anfernee signed a new three-year contract with the Patriots. This shows the team believes in his skills and future contributions. As of July 2025, he continues to play for the New England Patriots.
Personal Life
Anfernee has a younger brother named Shawndarius "Shawn" Jennings. Shawn also plays college football. He first played at Alabama with Anfernee before moving to South Alabama.
