Erik Jensen (American football)

Erik Jensen (born October 11, 1980 in Appleton, Wisconsin) is a former American football tight end of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Iowa. Jensen was also a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals.

Early years
Jensen was a Second-team All-State linebacker as a junior and senior and was a unanimous First-team All-conference selection as both fullback and linebacker in final two prep seasons. He was honorable mention All-conference on both offense and defense as a sophomore.

His career totals on offense include 455 attempts for 2,808 yards and 44 TDs, an average of 6.2 yards per carry and also had 41 receptions for 607 yards and six TDs. As a senior rushed for 1, 463 yards on 221 attempts and scored 24 TDs, with 14 catches for 245 yards and two scores. Jensen rushed for 1,104 yards and 12 TDs as a junior. His career defensive totals include 375 tackles, with 145 solo stops and 230 assists with 20 tackles for loss, nine interceptions, 13 caused fumbles, 13 recovered fumbles, 12 knockdowns and nine QB sacks. He totaled 154 tackles and five interceptions as a senior and 133 tackles as a junior. He also competed in baseball and power lifting as a prep. As a senior won state title in weight lifting, lifting a career-best total of 1,450 pounds in the bench press, squat and dead-lift.

College career
As a senior in 2003 Jensen was Academic All-Big Ten after catching 16 passes for 182 yards for an 11.4 average and one touchdown. In 2002 he was Academic All-Big Ten. He saw action in first two games of the year but missed the remaining games with an injury. In 2001 Jensen played in 11 of 12 games. 2000 he played in nine games and had two catches for 37 yards and one TD In 1999 he red-shirted.

St. Louis Rams
Jensen was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft.