January of 2018 was supposed to be one of the highlights of Alabama EDGE Anfernee Jennings' football career.
The Crimson Tide defeated Clemson in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, but Jennings left the game late after taking a leg to his knee and the knee buckling.
The original diagnosis was a torn PCL, but it got worse the next day.
It was discovered through a MRI that there was artery damage and a blood clot. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital and there was actually a thought that the leg would might need to be amputated.
But, the surgery was very successful and Jennings worked extremely hard rehabbing to get on the field for his final two years at Alabama. Everything worked out when he had his named called by the Patriots at No. 87 overall Friday night.
"The last two years, I learned a lot about patience and working hard and dealing with adversity and know that you can overcome anything you put your mind to and work at," he said on a conference call Saturday. "As you know, my history and you know what type of player I am. I just look forward to taking on this challenge and looking forward to being in Foxborough."
Jennings said even in he immediate aftermath of the injury, he did not give up on his dream of making it to the NFL.
"Yes sir, I knew it would be possible," he said. "I just knew that it would take a lot of hard work, a lot of battling back and working hard, just believing in myself and doing what I had to do with everything that the coaches asked me to do, the trainers and everybody around me. I knew I could be back and even better. I'm here and I'm glad to be a part of the Patriots organization and thankful."
The third-round pick said Bill Belichick told him Friday he plans on using his versatility with the Patriots, lining him up all over the field.
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