Although the coaching staff will not release their official depth chart until early Fall, Jenny will likely start as quarterback when the season begins. After splitting time with Tom Bennewitz '08 last year, Jenny spent the spring taking snaps with the first team and is poised to take over the starting spot come August.
Jenny first contended for the job during the 2007 season, his sophomore year. He completed 32 of 62 passes (52%), garnering 484 yards and five touchdowns. His passer efficiency rating of 134.12 would have been good enough for second in the Ivy League, if only he had reached the minimum total passes requirement.
After spending time as the first backup to last year's fall starter Bennewitz, Jenny came on in a game against Columbia and promptly completed 14 of 23 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown to help the team to victory. After that, he earned the starting position in the team's next game against Harvard.
A cerebral player with a deep knowledge of the game and Dartmouth's system, Jenny prides himself on making good decisions at the right times.
"Obviously I'm not the biggest quarterback in the world," Jenny said. "I'd say my biggest strength is just knowing the offense and knowing what's going on with the defense. I'm not a physically dominant player in any way, so I just try to have a good grasp on what we're doing."
Listed at 5'11", 182 pounds on the Dartmouth Sports web site, Alex certainly isn't a physically overwhelming presence on the field. He admits that it remains his biggest weakness.
"Not being a 6'5" quarterback is a limitation because it's harder to break tackles and avoid sacks," he said. "I've worked on gaining weight since I've been here; I do have physical limitations and I'm trying to do other things to work on that."
Nevertheless, Jenny more than makes up for his size with good speed and a great arm. He also rarely makes mistakes. Playing football at Wayland High School his senior season, Alex threw for 2165 yards with 123 completions, but only had 6 interceptions compared to his 24 touchdowns.
A student of Buddy Teeven's system, Jenny praises the ever-changing offense that he will direct. The offense, he said, has become increasingly streamlined as better athletes have come to play here.
"When you don't have as good athletes, you want to make up for it by having a huge playbook," he said. "Now, [the coaches] really simplified everything. There aren't as many things going on, everybody knows what they're doing, and we have tons of great athletes. It's nice to know what everyone is doing and be comfortable playing together."
Jenny is excited about the new class of players for next year as well.
"They say that the '12 class is the best we've had since Coach Teevens got here," he said.
Jenny, however, will be challenged from the start this season. Changes are occurring around the team; in particular, the offensive line will likely be boasting four new starters as fall rolls around. While Jenny praised the team's spring performance, the question still remains as to how new players will perform under new direction.
Jenny may also be challenged by some of the incoming freshmen quarterbacks. Incoming stand-out Conner Kempe stated earlier this year that he will be vying for the starting position come fall.
When asked about the new quarterback talent, Jenny was nonchalant.
"It's always nice to get some good talent and add some depth to all the positions," he said.
Jenny revealed he doesn't have many personal goals for the season, but he wants to help the team improve.
"I want to keep doing what I'm doing," he said. "But most importantly, I want us to play well every game, and I don't want to have any regrets after the season."
Dartmouth football will begin its 2008-09 season against Colgate Univeristy on Saturday, September 20th.
