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SVSU star Jeff Janis of Tawas is looking to make his mark in a Packer uniform. SVSU'S JANIS: Tough Kid From Tawas Runs Through Tackles, Now a Packer
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They build them tough in Tawas; Jeff Janis is a testament to that thought.
The 6-3, 219 pound Saginaw Valley State College receiver became one of a few from this region to make the pro football ranks, and Janis is a rookie looking at a bright future, according to the coaching staff at the Green Bay Packers who drafted him last year.
He was drafted by the Packers in the seventh round (236th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. Janis was the first Saginaw Valley State Cardinal drafted since Todd Herremans (guard, Philadelphia Eagles) in 2005, and the first wide receiver in school history to be drafted.
"During his last two seasons, Janis did more than enough to prove that he is the best receiver in the nation below the major college level," states the Green Bay Packers publicity department.
During the course of his junior and senior campaigns, he was twice named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Back of the Year and selected Little All-American by the Associated Press.
"Thanks to his impressive speed, size and power, Janis often created huge mismatches challenging the press coverage defenders. He is very physical working through traffic and his leg drive has allowed him to generate more than 60 percentage of his receiving yardage after the catch."
His ability to drive through arm tackles allowed him to record at least 14 touchdowns in each of his last three seasons.
Janis has an explosive separation burst, evident by his yards-per-catch average of 17.5 yards. His ability to uncover working underneath, along with his physicality combating for the ball saw him record 196 first downs among his 246 receptions, along with reaching the end zone for a school record 46 touchdown grabs, tied for 11th in the history of NCAA Division II football.
Before Janis joined the Cardinals program, he competed in both football and basketball at Tawas Area High School. He earned all-conference as a wide receiver, but was also utilized as a running back, going on to lead his team in rushing after the position change. As a junior, he averaged 29.82 yards on 11 kickoff returns, 12.14 yards as a punt returner and 31.83 yards as a receiver, in addition to recording 20 tackles on defense.
The following season, Janis delivered 731 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 45 carries (16.24 ypc). He scored six times and averaged 22.06 yards via 17 receptions and gained 331 yards via 11 kickoff returns (30.09 avg). He also averaged 9.75 yards as a punt returner, adding 12 tackles and a 51-yard interception return.
Janis enrolled at Saginaw Valley in 2009, spending the season as a red-shirt performer on the scout team. He started the last six games of the 2010 schedule, picking up 130 yards on nine catches with a touchdown. In eight starting assignments as a sophomore, he had 48 catches for 968 yards, tying for third in school annals with 14 touchdowns.
Janis had a breakout campaign as a junior. The All-American recorded the 11th-best season in Division II history with 106 receptions, which also set the school record. He also set the Cardinal mark with 1,635 yards, the 10th-best season total in DII annals. His 17 touchdown catches are second-best in a season by a Cardinal.
Janis made nearly as much impact during his second All-American campaign as a senior. He paced the team with 83 receptions, second-best on the school annual chart, as his 1,572 yards gained is also second-best in a campaign by a Cardinal. He produced 14 touchdowns and gained 49 yards on four carries, adding 111 yards via kickoff returns for 1,692 all-purpose yards, second-best on the school season-record list.
Janis closed out his career by playing in the 2014 Senior Bowl. Among active NCAA Division II players, he ranks fourth for receptions (246) and second for receiving yards (4,305). His 46 touchdown catches are second-best in that group and his 49 total scores placed seventh. He is 11th overall with 4,520 all-purpose yards and his average of 97.84 receiving yards per game rank fourth.
Janis ranks 29th in the Division II ranks with 246 receptions and 12th with 4,305 receiving yards. His 46 touchdowns tied James Roe of Norfolk State (1992-95) for 11th on the NCAA list.
Janis is second in GLIAC league annals with 4,305 yards receiving, topped by Clarence Coleman of Ferris State (4,594; 1998-2001)His 294 points scored are seventh-best in GLIAC annals.
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