A determined Malik Jennings is back stronger after preseason injury

Published 11:59 am Thursday, October 11, 2018

MAYO, Fla. — Malik Jennings is the type of player every coach wants. The senior safety for the Lafayette Hornets has the versatility to do a lot of different things on the football field. 

He’s a strong tackler who defends well against the run (62 tackles in 2017), and he can also play the pass (three interceptions in 2017). LHS coach Joey Pearson isn’t short on praise for Jennings, also recognizing the intangibles he brings to the Hornets.   

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“He brings toughness to our team. He’s a hard-nosed guy. He’s a vital part of what we do,” Pearson said. 

For Jennings, a two-starter, that physical toughness is a big factor in his success. 

But it’s his mental toughness that has been the most important factor in returning to the field this season.    

In a summer camp workout this July in Cedar Key, Jennings went down with a serious knee injury. It was a big blow that shook him at first. 

But with positive reinforcement from coaches and a will to get back on the field, Jennings was able to return in time to play in Lafayette’s first game of the season. He has played in all six games this season.

“When I got hurt, I was really down. I was wondering if I was going to be able to come back and play the same as I did last year,” said Jennings, who was an All-State Honorable Mention in 2017 in his first year as a starter.  

“I have to thank all my coaches. They really cared and tried to get me back healthy. They motivated me and told me ‘everything is going to be ok.’ I was kind of slow at first, but I wanted to get back and show my coaches I was all in.”

The injury did hamper Jennings a little to start the season. Through the first five games, his tackling numbers were down from last year and he didn’t have an interception.

But the game against Bell on Oct. 5 seemed to be a turning point for Jennings. He had a season-high 11 tackles and helped the Hornets shut out the Bulldogs for a 41-0 victory. 

“I feel like I’m healthier,” Jennings said. “I feel like that game is going to set me to do better every game.”

For Lafayette, playing better defense will be important the rest of regular season and beyond. Jennings will have a key role in that defensive unit. 

“Him getting healthy for the second half of the season in huge for us,” said Pearson.