Player Profile: Hermitage HS Hall of Famer and GameTapes.Org Co-Founder, Tyrell Jenkins

Tyrell Jenkins Hermitage High School Football Alumni — 2002 Tyrell Jenkins, Hermitage High School Football

“It was one of the highlights of my life and has created the baseline standard to how I view anything and everything around me. I just can’t lose.”

Early Days

A career multi-sport athlete, Tyrell’s first love was basketball; he didn’t play organized football until the 5th grade when he was as a member of the Virginia Randolph Rams, a youth football organization based in Glen Allen, VA. It wasn’t until he reached the 8th grade at Brookland Middle School that he started getting playing time as a backup fullback and linebacker.

1997 Brookland Middle School Football Coach Adam Moss — *1997-98 Brookland Middle School Football*

Tyrell on middle school football:

“I barely understood the game, but I had great footwork (because of basketball), God-given instincts, and the will to win.”

Tyrell’s passion for football grew from the tight bond between he and his teammates, and the outstanding leadership of Head Coach, Adam Moss (Moss Sports Performance) and strength coach, Kelly Guempel. The experiences and foundation set in middle school launched Tyrell into a lifelong relationship with the sport.

Herm

JV: 1999 and 2000

As he entered high school, Tyrell and the successful group from Brookland remained largely intact, making an immediate impact on the Hermitage JV team. “Playing up” to varsity was uncommon for the program at this time, resulting in talent-loaded JV rosters in 1999 and 2000 that were wildly successful. The excitement the underclassmen were generating helped begin a momentum swing for the program.

2001

In 2001, the Patrick Kane era began at Hermitage. Coach Kane’s discipline, passion, integrity helped turnaround the program, but it was his vision that impacted Tyrell the most. Despite his experience at fullback and linebacker, Coach Kane saw Tyrell as a potential game-changer on the defensive line.

Tyrell reluctantly agreed to the position change, but the decision proved to be the perfect fit for Tyrell and the program. Tyrell earned a starting position at defensive tackle and finished his junior season with 50 tackles, 13 for losses, 3 sacks and a forced fumble. This effort earned him 1st team all District, 2nd Team All-Region, 2nd Team All-Metro, and Honorable Mention All-State. At 7-2, the 2001 varsity football team achieved Hermitage’s best record since 1982.

2002

The 2002 season was statistically the best of Tyrell’s football career. He finished the season with 87 tackles, 24 for loss, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a recovered fumble. He was named to the 1st team All-District, 1st team All-Region, 1st Team All-Metro, 2nd team All-State teams. He was also selected to participate in the VHSL All-Star game. In 2021, Tyrell was inducted into the Hermitage High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

After Hermitage

Tyrell Jenkins, Lehigh University Football

After graduation, Tyrell went on to accept a large grant from Lehigh University to attend school and play football. His sophomore season in 2004 was ultimately his best. That season, Lehigh won a share of the Patriot League title and made it to the Division 1-AA playoffs where they fell to eventual National Champion James Madison University. Tyrell appeared in 11 games and recorded 20 tackles and 1.5 sacks as a defensive line specialist.

Tyrell Jenkins, US Navy, Pearl Harbor, U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Detachment

Upon his departure from Lehigh, Tyrell enlisted in the US Navy and spent 4 years stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as a Master Small Boat Operator supporting the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Detachment. While in Hawaii, Tyrell graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with his Bachelors and Masters degrees.

Tyrell Jenkins, Hermitage Football Alumni Association (HFAA) Donating cornhole boards

Tyrell is passionate about music, family, and creating content. He continues to give back to Hermitage through his creation of the Hermitage Football Alumni Association (HFAA), organization of the annual Hermitage Football Alumni Legacy Bowl, and development of the Hermitage Football Legacy Speech Series.

He currently Resides in Henrico, VA and has a career as a Government Acquisitions Analyst. He is married and has two sons. Tyrell is also co-founder of GameTapes.Org, which is on a mission to preserve sports legacies while giving back to today’s student-athletes.