- Joined LBs Jamari Lattimore and Vic So’oto as the three non-drafted rookies to make the Packers’ opening-day roster in 2011.
- Tied for second among Packers rookies by playing in 15 games during his inaugural season, becoming a regular on special teams and posting nine tackles on the coverage units.
- Initials stand for “Melvin Delaine.”
- Earned Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance at Auburn his senior year in 2010. Posted 11 tackles and a sack against the eventual national champion, and was the only player on his team to sack Heisman Trophy winner and future No. 1 overall draft pick QB Cam Newton.
- Lettered six times in baseball as a prep, having made the varsity team as a seventh grader in Calhoun City, Miss.
Pro Highlights:
- Signed by Green Bay as a non-drafted free agent on July 28, 2011, ultimately becoming one of 10 rookies and three non-drafted free agents to make the club’s opening-day roster.
- Played his way onto the roster with a strong training camp and preseason, appearing in all four exhibition games and finishing third on the team with 15 tackles (10 solo) and an interception.
- Was a healthy scratch for the season opener vs. New Orleans (Sept. 8), but played in each of the 15 regular-season games that followed, becoming the team’s No. 3 safety after veteran Nick Collins suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 2.
- Placed sixth on the team and third among rookies with nine special teams tackles in 2011, seeing eight of them come on the kickoff coverage team.
2011 SEASON: Made the club out of training camp as the team’s No. 4 safety, joining LBs Jamari Lattimore and Vic So’oto as the three non-drafted free agents to make the opening-day roster in 2011…Put forth a strong preseason effort that included 15 tackles (10 solo) and an interception…Also displayed his versatility and value by recovering an onside kick in the third preseason game at Indianapolis (Aug. 26), allowing the Packers to drive for the game-winning FG…During the regular season, was one of only four rookies on the roster to appear in 15 or more games, joining WR Randall Cobb, LB D.J. Smith and TE Ryan Taylor…Became a factor on special teams, particularly on kickoff coverage, where he notched eight of his nine tackles, a total that ranked sixth on the team and third among rookies...Ascended to the No. 3 safety position on the depth chart following a season-ending neck injury to Collins in Week 2, but did not see the field on defense during the year…At Carolina (Sept. 18): Made his NFL debut, appearing only on special teams, but did not record any statistics…Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 14): Saw action on special teams, making a great effort by sustaining his block on S Eric Frampton all the way down the field, helping to spring Cobb’s 80-yard punt return for a TD early in the first quarter…Vs. Tampa Bay (Nov. 20): Appeared on special teams, where he was credited with two tackles on the kickoff coverage unit. Also made a good block on S Corey Lynch at the start of Cobb’s 55-yard punt return in the fourth quarter…At Detroit (Nov. 24): Bested his career high of two special teams tackles from the previous week by tying for a team high with three, recording all three stops on the kickoff team.
COLLEGE: A four-year letterman and three-year starter who finished his career with 241 tackles, including 7½ for loss, eight interceptions and 15 passes defensed from the safety position…Named first-team All-Sun Belt Conference following his senior season in 2010 when he set or tied career highs in almost every statistical category…Earned a B.S. in physical education…Senior season (2010): Tallied a career-high 84 tackles (38 solo) and matched his career-best interception total with three…Was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the team’s loss at eventual national champion Auburn (Sept. 4)…Led the team with 11 tackles against the Tigers, including 1½ for loss and was the lone Red Wolf to sack eventual Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, also adding a forced fumble and a recovery in the game…Finished the season ranked No. 10 in the conference in tackles and tied for fourth in INTs…Junior season (2009): Started the first 11 games as part of a unit that ranked first in the conference in both yards allowed and scoring defense…Finished with 64 tackles (37 solo), an interception, six passes defensed and a team-high three fumble recoveries…Had a season-high 11 tackles at Louisville (Oct. 31)…Was also named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll and the SBC Academic Honor Roll…Sophomore season (2008): Opened all 12 games in his first season as a starter, making 67 tackles, including three for loss, a team-high three interceptions and five passes defensed…Registered a career-high 13 tackles vs. Southern Miss (Sept. 13) and had six games with at least five tackles for an ASU defense that ranked No. 2 in the conference his sophomore year...Redshirt freshman season (2007): Saw action in 12 games as a reserve…Recorded 26 tackles (12 solo), a sack and an interception on the season…First career sack came vs. SMU (Sept. 15) and first career INT came vs. Troy (Oct. 27).
PERSONAL: Given name Melvin Delaine Jennings…Born in Grenada, Miss. …He and his girlfriend, Victoria Pratt, are expecting their first child in September 2012…High school: Played CB, S and WR at Calhoun City (Miss.) High School…Was named first-team all-state after totaling 70 tackles, five INTs and 15 passes defensed his senior year for a team that went 12-1 and reached the third round of the state playoffs for Class 2A…Had 16 receptions for 363 yards (22.7 avg.) and four TDs on offense, while also returning two punts for TDs…Received second-team all-state honors as a junior after making 70 tackles and eight interceptions on the season…Lettered six times in baseball, having made the varsity team in seventh grade and also lettered twice in track, competing in a number of events…Excelled in academics, ranking No. 5 in his graduating class and receiving the United States National Minority Leadership Award in 2005…Community involvement: Attended the Packers PALS Program and Phoenix Fitness Fun Party in 2011…Volunteered at youth football camps and also at a prom-type gathering for senior citizens while in college…Hobbies/interests: Recalled his most memorable sports achievement as Arkansas State’s 18-14 upset victory at Texas A&M during the 2008 season…Names Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders as his favorite athletes…Lists his favorite movie as Life and enjoys listening to hip-hop music…Residence: Calhoun City, Miss.
