Temple University Athletics
Adonis Jennings: From Football to Fashion
4.29.21 | Football
After graduating from Temple University in 2017, Adonis Jennings had his sights set on the next level, as many college athletes do. A 6'3" wide receiver, Jennings flashed as a younger player during the Owls' runs to the AAC Championship games before breaking out in 2017 for 742 yards and seven touchdowns on 42 receptions. One of the most successful receivers in school history, Jennings finished his career with 83 receptions for 1,362 yards and 13 touchdowns. The receiving yards and touchdowns rank top-20 and top-10 all-time, respectively.
"The relationships that I built with my teammates, and everything that we went through at Temple University from 2015 to 2017 helped me become a man and continue to try to strive for greatness," Jennings said.
After stints with the Green Bay Packers (NFL), and the Salt Lake Stallions (AAF), Jennings took his talents to the newly formed XFL and signed with the Los Angeles Wildcats. Just as the league was finding its footing, the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the season and Jennings was looking for a job.
"When the league got shutdown in March, I was home and I had to figure out what I loved to do off the field," Jennings said. "I woke up one day, and it hit me, I've always been a fan of luxury fashion, but in high school I always used to wear sweatpants and hoodies because my parents couldn't afford to get me nice custom suits. When I got to Temple, I started putting my stipend money into my wardrobe and that's when I realized that I was into luxury fashion."
That's when Jennings reached out to Harper & Jones, a company that specializes in luxury fashion. With a few locations in Texas, Harper & Jones is a purveyor of one-of-a-kind, bench-made men's clothing that are hand crafted and expertly refined at every step of the process.
"I reached out to them, I did my research on the company and I saw what they were about," Jennings said. "We came to an agreement, and I couldn't thank them enough for giving me the opportunity to start a nice career."
Since then, Jennings has designed suits for a host of people in the athletics world, one of those being former Temple defensive end Michael Dogbe. It was through an interaction with Dogbe and New Orleans Saints guard Cesar Ruiz that Jennings was introduced to Kwity Paye, a defensive end for the University of Michigan.
A little while later, Jennings was in Miami at a training facility where he bumped into Virginia Tech defensive back Caleb Farley. The two kept in contact with each other, and it was decided that Jennings would design the draft suit for Farley.
After developing a connection with Paye, Jennings was tasked with designing his suit for the draft as well.
After a few months of hard work, Jennings' suit was on full display as Paye was drafted with the 21st pick in the draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
Â
Kwity Paye (@OfficialKwity) told me earlier today that Chadwick Boseman being the first Black superhero meant the world to him, so his draft suit reflected that. Suit was made by former Packers player Adonis Jennings pic.twitter.com/tqZ7qLfnio
— Tyler R. Tynes (@TylerRickyTynes) April 29, 2021
While Caleb Farley was one of the few draftees selected to attend the NFL Draft in Cleveland, unfortunately, he was unable to meet the commissioner on stage as he tested positive for COVID-19 just a few days before the draft.
Farley was selected with the 22nd pick in the draft by the Tennessee Titans.
"I'm happy to have developed relationships with those guys, and been able to see them achieve their dreams, and I'm happy for them and their families," Jennings said. "I'm honored to see them on the big screen wearing my design."
