Tom Kreager

Gannett Tennessee

MURFREESBORO — Blackman quarterback Jauan Jennings is ready to begin his college football career.

The Tennessee commitment said Monday he will enroll in college in January.

"I'm going to be up there in January," said Jennings, his face beaming with the announcement. "That's a fact."

Jennings, who was named the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Class AAA Back of the Year, has taken extra classes during the school year to put him on track to graduate in December.

"I had a one (period) through six (period) class schedule, then I added a seventh period," Jennings said. "I've been grinding. I have no free time. I knock out a lot of homework during the day.

"Some days I don't have a night. I'm just thankful to have parents that push me and take care of me. As soon as practice is over, I've been working (on school). I go home, get a plate (of food), take a shower and am on the computer taking online courses. It's been discouraging at times thinking it may not happen. But I've known for a month that I could get it in."

Jennings said his dad asked him a couple of months ago whether he wanted to try to graduate early. At the time, neither knew whether it was possible. But after investigating the feasibility, they discovered that while it would take a significant amount of online course work, it was possible.

Jennings said he has two more classes to complete online this month, but he is confident they will be done by the time UT begins the second semester.

Jennings, a 6-foot-4, 187-pound dual-threat quarterback, threw for 2,155 yards with 22 touchdowns and three interceptions this past year. He also rushed for more than 800 yards with 17 rushing touchdowns.

He said enrolling early will help him acclimate to the quarterback position at Tennessee. He is ranked the No. 1 prospect in the state by 247Sports and the sixth-best dual-threat quarterback in the country, according to the recruiting website.

"The position I want to play, I just feel like I need to get up there and get in the system and learn the terminology as quickly as possible," Jennings said.

Oakland senior offensive tackle Jack Jones also plans on graduating from high school early and enrolling at Tennessee next month.