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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]
By Brendan Galella
Published December 25, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVERTISEMENT
Sports News Video
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]