Four months after leading Southwest Baptist University to its first NCAA-II playoff appearance in program history, senior running back Cole “Bubba” Jenkins is no longer a member of the Bearcat football team.
Head coach Robert Clardy confirmed the news, but could not disclose the reason for Jenkins’ dismissal, which happened the week after their spring game early last month.
“Bubba is still a student at Southwest Baptist and it is our understanding that he is looking to transfer at the end of the spring semester,” said Clardy.
The Springfield Parkview product broke nearly every rushing record in program history last fall, including setting a new SBU and GLVC single season rushing record with 1,739 yards to go with 20 touchdowns.
“Obviously losing somebody like Bubba’s productivity is tough to replace,” said Clardy. “He’s one of the top backs in SBU history and is one of the best backs in nation. That would be tough to replace at any position let alone one that touches the ball every play.”
Jenkins took pressure off quarterback TJ Edwards, who was named GLVC Player of the Year last season. While the loss is a big one to the offense, Clardy said there are several newcomers ready to step into the role this upcoming season.
“We’ve got some guys coming in to fill some big shoes,” said Clardy. “We’ve got some guys on campus that took a lot of snaps this spring like (freshman) Brandon Horsley from Lebanon and (freshman) Chaden Brandt from Nevada.
Also expected to fight for the starting job is incoming freshman Michael Branch, a bruising back from Monett who led the Cubs to a Class 3 state championship last fall.
“He’s ready to compete right away,” said Clardy. “He’s got an opportunity to be the premier back in our offense and he’s taking advantage of that. He’s even made the trip to watch practice.”
Incoming freshman Eric Knight from West Mesquite High School in Texas is also a candidate to fight for playing time in the backfield.
Jenkins, who originally walked on at the University of Arkansas before transferring to SBU, holds team records for a season in points scored, touchdowns, rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing yards per game and rushing touchdowns.
Clardy was taking calls from NFL scouts after Jenkins posted a 4.49 40-yard-dash at the Junior Pro Day held at Missouri Western late last month.
Jenkins was named “Back of the Year” by the Springfield Quarterback Club as a senior in 2012.
