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Position: CB
Class: 2008 Big Board
Year: Senior
Hometown: Bradenton, Florida
Date of Birth: 03/22/85
Height: 5102
Weight: 190
Bench Press: 18
Vertical Jump: 34"
40 T: 4.38
Projection: First Round
Ordering: 14
Pros: An adept cover corner with excellent speed and good size,
Jenkins likes to be physical at the line of scrimmage and also flashes the
speed to run step for step with best of them on the deep route. His length allows him to battle for jump
balls and he is very fluid. Jenkins is
instinctive, with a knack for knowing where the quarterback is going with the
football and tracking routes. While
tackling my not be his favorite thing to do, Jenkins has proved capable in the
open field and has the ability to break on the ball as well as any corner in
the draft. While he loves to bump and
run, Jenkins is also capable of playing safety—he brings a good understanding
of zone defenses. The
Cons: The biggest knock on Jenkins is his lack of interceptions,
as he had just four in the past two seasons. However, this was due in large
part to the fact that opposing quarterbacks often steered away from throwing in
his direction. That being said, the
talented Bulls defensive back lacked the ball skills to make the opposing
quarterbacks pay when they did throw his way.
Teams also shouldn’t expect much from Jenkins in run support early
on—he’s not physically strong near the line of scrimmage and needs to do a
better job disengaging from blocks.
Character is an issue, as he was involved at a bar altercation during
his time at
Overall: The experienced defensive back possesses the deceptiveness
that sets up quarterbacks into forcing the ball into coverage. Following his junior season, many favored his
classmate and fellow corner, Trae Williams, who had better numbers (read more
interceptions). However, if you watched the Bulls play, you know why no one
threw Jenkins’ way, as he continuously beat his man
to the spot. He has the size, speed and
fluid hips necessary to play in the NFL.
Jenkins can also contribute on special teams, both as a blocker and as a
return man.
Our View: After quietly being one of the top defenders in the Big
East during his first three seasons, Jenkins finally started getting respect
this year and that should continue come draft day. Other than ideal ball
skills, Jenkins has everything a team looks for in a number one
cornerback. He may not record many
interceptions, but the fact remains, he possesses one of the rarest skills in
football—he can lockdown in coverage.
Factoid: The
Medical Examiner: Sources have indicated that Jenkins has asthma, but the
extent of the disorder is uncertain. He
also battled an ankle injury his freshman year but has not missed any action
due to injury since then.
Highlights of Accomplishments:
- 2007
First Team All-American
- 2007
First Team All-Big East
- 2005
Second Team All-Big East
High School: Played safety and running back for
Quote of Note: "He can bait quarterbacks…act like he's off the
receiver when he knows just how far he needs to be. He reminds me of Deion
(Sanders) that way. You don't coach that, and he has tremendous athletic
ability, the feet, the hips, but it's more about being smart and studying your
opponents. He does that so well."
--South

