NFL Draft 2012: CB Janoris Jenkins Has Moved On To Greener Pastures
By Josh Sanchez
University of North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins know what is like to be in the spotlight and then have it taken away. Jenkins was a star cornerback for the Florida Gators, but his multiple arrests and his desire to keep smoking marijuana took it all away. Jenkins was kicked off of the team by Gators head coach Will Muschamp.
Jenkins opted to transfer to North Alabama, rather than declare for the NFL Supplemental Draft. He has since insisted that he has cleaned up his act and has given up smoking marijuana.
“I tell everybody now if you’re going to come around me and smoke weed, I can’t hang around you,” Jenkins said. “We’re friends, but while you’re smoking marijuana, I can’t hang around you.”
This decision could be what secures Jenkins’ status as a first-round pick in April’s draft. He has all of the talent and if he can convince teams that he is on the right path and marijuana is no longer an issue, then Jenkins will not fall out of the top 32 picks.
Jenkins participated in this year’s Senior Bowl and he showed off the skills that have him considered to be one of the most impressive cornerbacks in this draft class.
“He’s very athletic, explosive,” Jaguars director of player personnel Terry McDonough said this week at the Senior Bowl. “You look at his lower body, he’s very explosive in his lower body; he’s not a small guy by any means. He’s been covering these guys all week; he’s stood out. He’s a first-round pick.”
It is great to see Jenkins turn his life around and make choices that will benefit his future. There is little doubt that he will be a first-round pick this year and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the former Florida Gator star grace NFL fields with a star on his helmet in Dallas.
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