National Football Foundation

The Rutgers team leader in rushing yards in 1972 and 1973, J.J. Jennings set nearly every rushing record in the Scarlet Knights record book. He holds the record for touchdowns in a game (5) and is second in program history in career touchdowns (34), career 100-yard games (19), consecutive 100-yard games (7) and rushing touchdowns in a season (21). Jennings is also third in school history in career rushing yards (2,935), career rushing attempts (650), 200-yard games (2), rushing yards in a season (1,353), rushing attempts in a season (303), points in a season (128) and rushing attempts in a single game (40).

An Honorable Mention All-American in 1973, Jennings was twice named First Team All-East and the Rutgers team MVP.  The team’s most outstanding senior in 1973, he participated in the 1974 Hula Bowl. Jennings was selected in the ninth round (222^nd overall) of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs and the tenth round of the World Football League draft by the Memphis Southmen.

He signed with the Southmen and carried the ball 322 times for 1,524 yards and 11 touchdowns, all ranking in the top three in the league. Jennings caught 46 passes for 431 yards and two touchdowns and was named the league MVP and First Team All-WFL. The Southmen finished 17-3 and lost their second round playoff game to the Florida Blazers. Jennings was dealt to the Philadelphia Bell and rushed 345 yards on 82 carries in 1975 before the WFL disbanded. He was inducted into the Rutgers Football Hall of Fame in 1989.