Anfernee Jennings facts for kids
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 professional football player. He plays as a linebacker for the New England Patriots in the National Football League (NFL). Anfernee played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Patriots picked him in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.
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Early Life and High School Football
Anfernee Jennings grew up in Dadeville, Alabama. He went to Dadeville High School. There, he played both defensive end and tight end for the school team, the Tigers.
High School Achievements
In his junior year, Anfernee made 171 tackles. He also had seven sacks. He was recognized as an honorable mention Super All-State player. During his senior year, he continued to excel. He recorded 170 tackles and 14 sacks. Anfernee was named first-team 4A All-State. He also won the 4A Lineman of the Year award.
After high school, Anfernee was considered a top player. Many colleges wanted him to play for them. He chose to play college football at the University of Alabama.
College Football Career
Anfernee Jennings joined the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2015. He spent his first year as a "redshirt" player. This means he practiced with the team but did not play in games. This allowed him to gain experience. He also switched from defensive end to outside linebacker.
First Seasons at Alabama
As a redshirt freshman, Anfernee was a key backup player. He made 19 tackles during the season. In his redshirt sophomore year, he became a starter. He recorded 41 tackles and one sack.
Injury and Comeback
In 2018, Anfernee got hurt during the 2018 Sugar Bowl. He missed the championship game that year. Doctors found he had a serious leg injury. But Anfernee worked hard to recover. He returned to play in his redshirt junior season.
Senior Year Success
Anfernee had a great redshirt junior year. He made 51 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He also scored his first college touchdown. In his final season, he continued to shine. He had 83 tackles and 8.0 sacks. He was named first-team All-SEC. Anfernee finished his college career with 194 tackles. He also had 15.5 sacks over 54 games.
Professional Football Career
The New England Patriots picked Anfernee Jennings in the 2020 NFL draft. He was the 87th player chosen overall. This was in the third round of the draft.
Early NFL Seasons
Anfernee made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020. This was in a game against the Miami Dolphins. He played nine snaps in the Patriots' win. He made his first start on October 18, 2020. He recorded three tackles in that game.
In 2021, Anfernee was placed on injured reserve. This meant he missed the entire season. He returned in 2022 as a backup linebacker. He played in 16 games that year. He recorded 27 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Recent Career
On March 15, 2024, Anfernee signed a new contract. He agreed to a three-year deal with the Patriots. This shows the team believes in his future.
Personal Life
Anfernee Jennings has a younger brother named Shawndarius. Shawndarius, also known as Shawn, plays college football too. He used to play at Alabama with Anfernee. Shawn later transferred to South Alabama. As of January 2025, Anfernee is in a relationship with Brittany Hurst.
