It was the summer of 2001 and sophomore linebacker Kendyll Pope had planned to return home to Lake City to condition in preparation for the start of Florida State football preseason practice.
Fellow linebacker Bradley Jennings, a senior team leader, had other plans for Pope.
“That was Bradley’s leadership – he wanted me to stay in Tallahassee and we worked out every day, old-school workouts, and I had my best season,” Pope said. “I attribute all that to Bradley. He was a beast, Monster (nickname), and he loved football.
“It’s just a sad day, puts a damper on everything.”
Jennings, who played at FSU from 1997-2001 and was part of the Seminoles’ 1999 national championship team that went 12-0, died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 28, in Jacksonville. He was 47.
Bradley Jennings considered one of FSU’s top linebackers
Jennings, a 6-foot-3, 235-pounder, signed with FSU in 1997 out of Miami Carol City. Following a redshirt season, Jennings developed into one of the team’s best linebackers.
Jennings recorded 339 total tackles (five for loss), two sacks, four fumble recoveries, and three interceptions in 41 career games. During his senior season in 2001, when he earned first-team All-ACC and fourth-team All-American honors, Jennings had 14-plus tackles in four games.
“He genuinely loved putting on the pads on every day, whether it was going to practice or playing in a game,” former FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said. “And Bradley didn’t like to lose either. He was really special on defense, and had all the tools to a really good linebacker.”
Pope, who finished his sophomore season in 2001 with 113 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 2 sacks and currently lives in Orlando, described Jennings as one of his closest friends. The pair often talked multiple times a week and had planned to get together this weekend.
Pope said Jennings was passionate about his children and coaching high school football. Two of Jennings’ sons played college football (one was an FSU commitment), another is a 2026 Michigan commitment, and his daughter is a sprinter at the University of Miami.
“He was a great family man and really loved his kids, that was his focus,” Pope said.
Jennings is the latest former Seminole who has recently died.
Defensive lineman O.J. Jackson, also was a teammate of Jennings’ at Carol City, was among two killed in a shooting in Hollywood, Florida, last November. Offensive lineman Dan Morris (1981-84) died last December. And running back Keith Ross (1985-88), return specialist Billy Allen (1981-84), and linebacker Shelton Thompson (1985-89) passed away last January.
In April 2024, former FSU quarterback Marcus Outzen, 46, died in Tampa from complications associated with a rare immune deficiency disorder.
“It has been tough, sad,” Pope said.
“I was talking to Jeff (Womble, former Seminole) and it was like we are getting older but it needs to slow down. When you are young, you want to be grown. Now too many (former players) are gone.”
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Bradley Jennings dies: Former FSU linebacker was part of 1999 national championship team
Reporting by Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
