USF(cb) Jenkins hopes to finish with win

[Nors]

Jenkins hopes to finish with win
By Brendan Galella
Published December 25, 2007


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USF senior Mike Jenkins looked around the Bulls' practice field and could only shake his head.

After spending nearly every day there for the past four seasons, the American Football Coaches Association All-American had trouble leaving the field on which he has turned into a touted NFL prospect.

"It's been kind of hard knowing that I'm leaving this program and this is the last time I'm practicing on this field," the 22-year-old defensive back said. "I'm just looking at the guys right now and hope to go out with a big win."

No. 23 USF faces Oregon at the Sun Bowl on Monday in El Paso, Texas.

The senior class has helped the Bulls to their first bowl appearance, bowl win and national ranking. Coach Jim Leavitt hopes the class continues to make strides on New Year's Eve.

"We've never won 10 (games), never beaten a Pac-10 team, and we've never finished (the season) nationally ranked," Leavitt said. "Those are all real good goals, and it could be the best season South Florida has ever had with a win."

For Jenkins, it will be an opportunity to showcase the talent that has him projected as the initial first-round selection in USF history.

ESPN.com draft analyst Mel Kiper has him listed as the eighth best senior and the only player in the secondary in his top 10.

"I haven't really seen any of that, but I'm always updated by my friends," Jenkins said. "I try not to get into all of that because if I focus on what people are saying about me, I might try and do too much. But I think I've been doing pretty well so far."

The 6-foot, 190-pound Jenkins led USF in pass breakups (12) for the second consecutive year and intercepted three passes despite opponents' reluctance to throw to his side of the field.

After the Sun Bowl, Jenkins will participate in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 26 in Mobile, Ala.

"I just have to play awesome in the Senior Bowl and run one heck of a 40 (yard dash) and let it go," Jenkins said. "I never thought I'd be where I am now. Like coach said, my stock just rose like yeast. So I feel good about that right now."

[Last modified December 24, 2007, 19:35:38]

[theogt]

Cason or this guy. Either one is fine with me.

[Nors]

Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

Name: Mike Jenkins
College: South Florida Number: 4
Height: 6-0 Weight: 200
Position: CB Pos2: FS
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2008
40 Time: 4.49 40 Low: 4.43 40 High: 4.57
Projected Round: 1 Stock:
Rated number 1 out of 232 CB's 8 / 2523 TOTAL

Combine Results Pro Day Results
Combine Invite:
Height: 5117
Weight: 200
40 Yrd Dash:
20 Yrd Dash:
10 Yrd Dash:
Wonderlic:
225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump:
Broad Jump:
20 Yrd Shuttle:
3-Cone Drill:


Dates:
Height: 5117
Weight: 200
40 Yrd Dash:
20 Yrd Dash:
10 Yrd Dash:

225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump:
Broad Jump:
20 Yrd Shuttle:
3-Cone Drill:


Draft Scout Snapshot: 13 GP; 13 GS; 27 TT, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 15 PBU, 1 FF; KR: 2-27-13.5-0; Suspended after arrest for misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence in March '07. 12 GP; 12 GS; 38 TT, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 5 PBU, 2 FF; PR 1-27-27-0; Second team all-Big East selection in '05. 10 GP; 3 GS; 27 TT, 9 PBU, 2 FF, 1 BLK; PR 1-7-7-0 in '04.

Overview

Jenkins' combination of size and speed has made him one of the country's most respected collegiate cornerbacks. He'll need to be drafted into a system that takes advantage of his size and physicality to enjoy as much success at the NFL level. Jenkins doesn't do any one thing exceedingly well, but is considered a bit of a jack-of-all-trades with NFL scouts. He uses his hands well at the line of scrimmage and has rare straight line speed. He struggles some in his transition, as he lacks the smooth hip turn of elite man coverage corners, but is rarely tested at this level. Despite the physicality he shows in coverage, Jenkins isn't particularly strong in run support. He reads the action well enough, but is more than willing to let others make the play. When he has to, however, Jenkins is a reliable enough open-field tackler due to his athleticism. Jenkins, a 28-game starter over his first three seasons with the Bulls, has seen the vast majority of his time at cornerback, but had some spot duty at safety as a freshman.



Analysis

Positives: Rare combination of size and speed for the position. ... Adequate change of direction when running with receivers. ... Uses his hands well to disrupt the receiver's routes and to deflect passes as they come. ... Consistently in position to make the play. ... Has a second gear when the ball is in the air and flashes the body control and competitiveness to intercept the ball. ... Durable. ... Hasn't missed a game over his career due to injury. ...
Negatives: Doesn't do any one aspect of the game exceedingly well. ... Good straight-line speed, but is a bit tight in the hips and loses a step in transition. ... Good use of his hands to jam the receiver at the line, but lacks physicality and urgency in run support. ... Gets his hands on a lot of balls (29 PBUs), but only has three career interceptions entering 2007. ... Character red-flag after being arrested in March of 2007 following a fight outside a bar.

I have initial grade at 1st late to 2nd. eNOUGH ?'s to drop him some but a player.