Gators Send Reprobate Corner back Jenkins Packing
University of Florida has long suffered from a reputation as a program that condones criminal behavior among their players, but that may be changing under new head coach Will Muschamp. On Tuesday, Muschamp announced that All SEC cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been kicked off the team after his second drug related arrest in the past three months. The coach got together with Jenkins early in the morning and made the decision to give him the boot shortly thereafter.
Jenkins was arrested Saturday morning after police found a marijuana joint-a \’blunt\’ in the vernacular of the drug culture-in his possession. He was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession for the second time in three months. In January, police found him with less than 20 grams of marijuana in the bathroom of a Gainesville nightclub. Jenkins accepted a plea agreement with the state attorney\’s office that basically let him off scot free after paying court costs. He had also been in trouble with the law back in 2009 when he received misdemeanor charges after being involved in a fight and fleeing police. He agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement and was placed on six months\’ probation.
The Gators\’ coach gave this brief statement announcing the decision:
\”After meeting with Janoris Jenkins today, we both felt it was in his best interest to move ahead to the next stage of his career. We appreciate Janoris\’ contributions of Florida during his time here and wish him the best of luck.\”
Jenkins, who was named to the All-SEC first team, missed spring practice after surgery to repair a torn labrum he suffered last season. Even though he was projected as a high first-round pick, Jenkins decided to stay in school rather than enter the NFL draft. His education will now have to wait as he\’ll likely look to head to the NFL immediately. His injury and errors in judgment will cost him significantly, however, as he won\’t be making the money he would as a first round draft choice-at least not in the first couple years of his career. The current speculation is that he\’ll stay on the sidelines until next year\’s NFL draft in hopes of improving his standing among potential pro employers and to wait out the league\’s labor squabbles.
Coach Muschamp has received a mostly positive response from the team\’s supporters and the Sunshine State sporting press. Florida has long been a popular choice among college football betting enthusiasts, but are in some degree of transition following the graduation of quarterback Tim Tebow and retirement of former head coach Urban Meyer.
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