- December 14th, 2006, 12:49 pm
#47916
Austin Jensen
Linebacker
Bradenton (FL) Manatee HS
6' 2" 185 lbs
2005 Season Stats:
100 Tackles, 7.5 Sacks, 4 Blocked FGs and 2 Fumble Recoveries
Sunshine Preps Video
Max Preps Profile
Based on this mention in a SW Florida fishwrap:
Here's a feature on him from his local fishwrap back before his team lost in the State Semifinals:
He apparently was Florida 5A All-State First Team as a junior:
Austin Jensen
Linebacker
Bradenton (FL) Manatee HS
6' 2" 185 lbs
2005 Season Stats:
100 Tackles, 7.5 Sacks, 4 Blocked FGs and 2 Fumble Recoveries
Sunshine Preps Video
Max Preps Profile
Based on this mention in a SW Florida fishwrap:
Jensen/Hodges make joint visit to Liberty U.http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs. ... 006/SPORTS
Manatee High linebacker Austin Jensen and offensive lineman Spencer Hodges visited I-AA Liberty University last weekend, the school founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell.
Though he has been offered an athletic scholarship by Kansas and Texas Tech, Hodges is considering Liberty because he is learning towards entering the ministry. He visited Texas Tech and has a trip planned for Kansas on Jan. 5. Western Kentucky, which will be a transitional I-A football program next year, has offered Jensen a scholarship.
Here's a feature on him from his local fishwrap back before his team lost in the State Semifinals:
PREP FOOTBALL: Underdog 'Canes eagerhttp://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs. ... 1/HELP0530
BY ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT
BRADENTON -- Austin Jensen sees one good thing about playing St. Thomas Aquinas in tonight's Class 5A state semifinal. The Manatee High linebacker knows his team will be an overwhelming underdog.
Aquinas has steam-rolled its three playoff opponents, beating them by a combined 148-7 score. And then there is last year's state semifinal game when the Raiders ousted Manatee from the playoffs with a 42-17 victory at Hawkins Stadium.
Aquinas (12-1) has an All-American receiver, one of the best quarterbacks in the state, a head coach who has won 300-plus games and a kicker who looks like he is NFL ready. For icing on the cake, there is linebacker Matt Shula, though hurt, who is the grandson of former Miami Dolphins coaching great coach Don Shula. The Raiders are aiming for their third straight state championship game appearance.
"I love being the underdog because people won't take you seriously and I think that's an advantage. They don't look at you in the same way and if you start playing well it sometimes throws them off," the senior said.
Jensen leads the 'Canes with 7.5 sacks and 71 solo tackles. He has blocked five kicks, has been credited with eight quarterback hurries and has recovered two fumbles.
The 6-2, 185-pounder is the one of the 'Canes' most disruptive players and seems to see everything that is happening on the field. But it's the one thing Jensen doesn't see that gives him hope for tonight when the 'Canes travel to Fort Lauderdale.
Most of the massive offensive line that wore out the 'Canes last year has graduated. Don't get him wrong, Jensen feels this is still a good line. But last year's was so big it was virtually impregnable and gave quarterback Wesley Carroll time to throw four TD passes.
"I think we will be able to give them a test because their OL is not as huge and over-powering," Jensen said. "Their quarterback is very good and a great leader, but last year with all those huge guys up front, he didn't have to worry about people coming after him. I think we can pressure him."
Diversification has become a popular word around the Manatee practices this week. After going against mostly one dimensional teams, the 'Canes now face an opponent that can pass and run. The Aquinas running game is led by Jeremiah Harden, who has rushed for 812 yards on 104 carries (7.8 average).
It takes a lot to impress Manatee High defensive back coach Tracy Sanders, who played professionally in the NFL, old World Football League and Arena Football League. But Sanders, who quarterbacked the 'Canes' 1983 state title team, is somewhat in awe of the Aquinas offense.
"Most of the opponents we faced were a bit one dimensional and this team does both (pass and run) equally well," Sanders said. "We as a unit are going to have to make sure we do all the little things correctly. Their offensive line is not as big as last year, but they are still opening up huge holes for their running backs, which combined with their passing attack has enabled them to be productive all year. We are going to have to play the best game that we've played by far all year."
Manatee head coach Joe Kinnan, who runs the 'Canes' offense, is concerned about how St. Thomas might disrupt his plans But things can't be as bad as last year when Manatee lost its starting quarterback in the first half.
"My biggest concern about their defense is their speed," Kinnan said. "They are giving up an average of only eight points per game. At this point in the playoffs it's hard to win games 14-7 because teams have offenses that are too good. We are going to need some points from our offense and we will do whatever it takes to win."
This is Kinnan's 10th state semifinal game appearance in his 22 years at Manatee. He has won four state championships, was a state runner-up once and has 14 district titles.
The coach says this team reminds him a lot of his 1989 state championship squad because of its closeness and senior leadership. It's an invaluable intangible, he believes.
"We have a group of guys who really care about each other, who socialize off the field as well as playing together. It really helps and gives you that togetherness," Kinnan said.
He apparently was Florida 5A All-State First Team as a junior:
Jensen selected all-statehttp://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_k ... _n16281462
He stuffed the run, covered receivers, blocked kicks, forced fumbles. You could say Austin Jensen was quite busy during the football season, and his efforts didn't go unnoticed.
Jensen, who played outside linebacker for Manatee High, was named Class 5A first-team All-State on Friday by the Florida Sports Writers Association.
"I'm very surprised," Jensen said. "I definitely didn't expect this. I'm just a junior, for one, and for two, I made all-district. I didn't think I was good enough for all-state."
One of just four juniors to make the first-team defense, Jensen led the list of five county players - including four Hurricanes - to receive 5A all-state honors.
'Canes' No. 44 Stays in Family; Austin Jensen Follows in His Father Mark's Footsteps in Manatee Football Traditionhttp://www.questia.com/PM.qst;jsessioni ... 5011077113
Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT
BRADENTON -- When Austin Jensen selected uniform No. 44, the Manatee High junior was just hoping to keep a family legacy alive.
After the way Jensen played last week in the 'Canes victory over Lakewood Ranch, he might be carving out a little history of his own.
Austin chose No. 44 so he could follow in the footsteps of his dad, Mark, who wore the same jersey and played for Manatee High head football coach Joe Kinnan in 1983 when the 'Canes won their first of four state titles.
"My dad never said anything to me about getting the number, but there is a big picture of him in our living room wearing the uniform and people say we look pretty much identical. It's just seemed a thing to do," Austin said.
Austin says there is no pressure trying live up to his dad, who played free safety in 1983 and '84 for the 'Canes and was a strong safety for Tulane University for two years before he left college to start a family.
Kinnan won't say which player is better. Since Austin is a linebacker, he is able to skirt the question. However, dad has no qualms about which Jensen he would rather have.
"Austin is a lot better player than I was as a junior," Mark said. "When I see him out there wearing No. 44 it gets me fired up. I feel like I want to get out there and play. He may not be faster than I was, but he is a better player."
Kinnan insists they are both great players and believes Austin can shine a little more than his dad because of the position he plays. Both are 6-foot-1, but Austin still has some growing room.
Against Lakewood Ranch, Austin blocked two kicks and tackled a punter on another play before he could get the kick off. He recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown and was in on eight tackles.
Being better than dad is not important to Austin. He is happy for the inspiration and incentive his father provides.
"I heard my dad was one of the hardest hitting football players around and one of the most athletic," Austin said. "I don't feel pressure to live up to that, but you want to do well like your father. I just like going out there, running around, having fun and hitting people. Playing for the same high school and the same coach as your father is real special."
The 175-pound Austin admits that his dad, who weighed 190 pounds as a senior, has a few things he would like. Austin has no state or district title and in his only game as a varsity player lost to Southeast.
"They didn't give rings out in 1983, but my dad has a jacket that says 1983 state champs," Austin said. "He also told me that they whipped up on Southeast in his days and that it wasn't much of a challenge. Hopefully, I can get a district title, maybe a state championship and beat Southeast."
Mark was elated when Kinnan decided to return this season after a four-year self-imposed retirement. He believes he will be the difference in his son getting a chance to play in college.
"Joe might have mellowed a little bit, but he is just as disciplined as ever and brings out the best in the kids," Mark said. "I missed some games when I was a senior because of an injury, but still managed to get a scholarship because he worked hard for me."
After losing the first two games of the season, Manatee bounced back against Lakewood Ranch and Austin hopes the success continues tonight when the 'Canes visit unbeaten Sarasota. In other games, Palmetto visits Cape Coral and winless Lakewood Ranch plays at Riverview.
Last edited by Sly Fox on December 14th, 2006, 12:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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