Missouri Southern State University Athletics

Prior to Southern - Dennis comes to Southern after playing the previous three seasons at Carthage (Division III) where he started as a quarterback before transitioning to defensive back ... In 2021 started all 10 games for the Firebirds at nickel back ... Finished second on the team with 58 total tackles, adding 4.5 tackles for a loss ... Tied for the conference lead, and led Carthage with four interceptions ... Forced one fumble against North Central ... Recorded two QB hurries and four pass breakups ... Posted a career-high 10 tackles at Elmhurst with one TFL ... Recorded his first interception on the year against Millikin, returning it 63 yards for a touchdown ... With his defensive touchdown at Millikin, became the first student-athlete in Carthage football history to score a touchdown passing, rushing, receiving, and defensively during their career ... Recorded an interception in three-straight games from October 16 to October 30 ... Named to the all-conference second team defense by the CCIW ... in 2020 appeared in both games that were played finishing with 10 total tackles for the year . . . Picked up a season high 8 tackles against Millikin on April 17th . . . Grabbed another 2 tackles and an interception against North Park on April 2nd ... Was an offensive threat in 2019 after played in all 10 games for Carthage ... As a quarterback, completed 16 passes on 32 attempts for 231 yards, with three touchdowns ... Ran for 129 yards on 38 attempts with a rushing touchdown ... At receiver, caught 27 passes for 390 yards and four touchdowns ... Also recorded 19 punts for 484 yards, pinning one inside the 20 ... Against North Park on November 2, set career-bests in passing yards with 125, passing touchdowns with three, and rushing yards with 40, all while catching five balls for 79 yards and a score as a receiver... Before Carthage he played at North Central College a D-III school where as a true freshman he played quarterback and wide receiver, finished the 2017 season with 12 receptions for 111 yards and two scores while having five rushes for 25 yards and a score as well... Prepped at Wheeling High School where he was a four year starter on the football field for coach Brent Pearlman, playing as a quarterback and safety... While a Wildcat he was also a three year starter on the basketball team and a one year starter as a center fielder on the diamond... A two time All-Conference and All-Area selection on the football field and basketball court, helped the Wildcats to two Co-Conference Championships and the first playoff appearance for the school since the 1990's as a senior on the football field... 

Personal - Jalen is the son of Helen and Larry Dennis and is a exercise science major at Southern.