KJ #49

Keonta Jenkins

Linebacker · Virginia Tech

A five-year Virginia Tech hybrid defender who racked up 184 career tackles, Keonta Jenkins fought back from an August release to earn his way onto Buffalo's active roster.

Keonta Jenkins spent five seasons at Virginia Tech playing a versatile 'Star' role that blended nickel corner, safety and outside linebacker responsibilities. After going undrafted in 2025, he was cut by the Bills in final roster cuts before working his way back onto the field as a rookie.

★ 184 career tackles across five seasons at Virginia Tech

★ 65 tackles as a fifth-year starter in Virginia Tech's hybrid 'Star' role

★ Signed a three-year, $2.99 million contract with the Bills

Path to the league

Jenkins played five seasons at Virginia Tech from 2020 to 2024, starting as a true freshman with 10 tackles in eight games and developing into a full-time starter. He finished his college career with 184 tackles, three interceptions, 2.5 sacks and nine pass deflections, then went undrafted in 2025 and signed with the Bills.

Career highlights

As a fifth-year player in 2024, Jenkins lined up in Virginia Tech's 'Star' role, a hybrid alignment mixing nickel corner, safety and outside linebacker duties, and recorded 65 tackles, a sack and an interception. He turned heads in his first NFL preseason game with the Bills, standing out against the New York Giants.

2025 season recap

Jenkins was released by Buffalo on August 26, 2025, before rejoining the practice squad the next day. He made his NFL regular-season debut in Week 2 against the Jets after an elevation and appeared in three games with nine tackles before signing a three-year, $2.99 million contract with the Bills in January 2026.

Sources

Wikipedia: Keonta Jenkins
Sports Illustrated: Virginia Tech Linebacker Keonta Jenkins Signs Undrafted Free Agent Contract With Buffalo Bills
ESPN: Keonta Jenkins