Baylor Football’s Caden Jenkins Named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

IRVING, Texas – Baylor football freshman cornerback Caden Jenkins has been named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Monday.

Jenkins made a pair of massive plays in BU’s 36-35 come-from-behind victory at UCF on Saturday. In addition to making two solo tackles, the rookie from Lewisville, Texas, nabbed his first-career interception with UCF driving deep in Baylor territory looking to extend its 35-10 lead. His pick on the BU 14-yard line snuffed out the Knights’ drive in the red zone and kickstarted what amounted to be Baylor’s largest comeback win in school history.

Then, with the Bears trailing by nine in the fourth quarter, Jenkins returned a UCF fumble 72 yards to the house for a scoop and score that swung the momentum heavily in BU’s favor. After the extra point brought Baylor back within two points, the Bears were able to kick the game-winning field goal on their next offensive drive. Jenkins’ defensive touchdown was the first by a Baylor true freshman since Chance Casey’s 66-yard interception return against Northwestern State on Sept. 26, 2009.

On the year, Jenkins has made 14 tackles, including one for loss, and broken up two passes in addition to his two takeaways from Saturday. The freshman defensive back has made an instant impact in the BU secondary, having appeared in all five games with two starts so far in 2023.

Jenkins becomes the 26th different Bear all-time to pick up Big 12 defensive honors for a total of 35 times. He is the first freshman in program history to earn the award. BU has had a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honoree in 19 of the last 20 seasons, with seven honors earned in the Dave Aranda era.

Joining Jenkins as this week’s Big 12 weekly award winners are Texas running back Jonathon Brooks (Offensive), Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (Newcomer) and Texas Tech wide receiver Loic Fouonji (Special Teams).

To stay up to date on all things Baylor football, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BUFootball.

BAYLOR’S ALL-TIME BIG 12 DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

• 2001 – Samir Al-Amin, S (Nov. 24)
• 2004 – Willie Andrews, S (Sept. 27)
• 2005 – Colin Allred, LB (Nov. 21)
• 2006 – Dwain Crawford, S (Oct. 2)
• 2007 – Jordan Lake, FS (Sept. 24)
• 2008 – Joe Pawelek, LB (Nov. 17)
• 2009 – Joe Pawelek, LB (Sept. 8)
• 2010 – Byron Landor, S (Oct. 18)
• 2010 – Byron Landor, S (Nov. 1)
• 2011 – Elliot Coffey, LB (Nov. 14)
• 2011 – Sam Holl, S (Dec. 5)
• 2012 – Joe Williams, CB (Nov. 19)
• 2012 – Eddie Lackey, LB (Nov. 26)
• 2012 – Eddie Lackey, LB (Dec. 3)
• 2013 – Terrell Burt, S (Sept. 23)
• 2013 – Eddie Lackey, LB (Oct. 21)
• 2013 – KJ Morton, CB (Dec. 9)
• 2014 – Shawn Oakman, DE (Nov. 24)
• 2015 – Shawn Oakman, DE (Oct. 26)
• 2015 – Andrew Billings, DT (Nov. 23)
• 2016 – Orion Stewart, S (Sept. 12)
• 2016 – Travon Blanchard, S (Sept. 26)
• 2016 – Ryan Reid, CB (Oct. 17)
• 2018 – Clay Johnston, LB (Sept. 30)
• 2019 – Clay Johnston, LB (Sept. 30)
• 2019 – Terrel Bernard, LB (Oct. 21)
• 2019 – Terrel Bernard, LB (Nov. 11)
• 2019 – James Lynch, DE (Nov. 25)
• 2020 – Terrel Bernard, LB (Oct. 26)
• 2021 – JT Woods, S (Sept. 13)
• 2021 – Garmon Randolph, OLB (Sept. 27)
• 2021 – Terrel Bernard, LB (Nov. 15)
• 2022 – Bryson Jackson, LB (Sept. 26)
• 2022 – Gabe Hall, DL (Oct. 31)
• 2023 – Caden Jenkins, CB (Oct. 2)