Janoris Jenkins

Janoris Jenkins (born October 29, 1988) is an American football cornerback for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of North Alabama and University of Florida. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Early life

Jenkins attended Pahokee High School, and he played for the Pahokee Blue Devils football team and was teammates with Richard Ash and Merrill Noel. In his senior year, Pahokee went 14–0, beating Newberry 53–14 at the Florida Citrus Bowl for the 2008 FHSAA Class 2B State championship.^[1] Jenkins was recognized as a first-team Class 2B All-State selection and a Parade magazine All-American.

Rated a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Jenkins was listed as the sixth-best cornerback prospect in the nation,^[2] in a cornerback crop headed by Patrick Peterson.

College career

Jenkins accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, where he played for coach Urban Meyer's Florida Gators football team from 2008 to 2010. He became just the second true freshman in school history to start at cornerback in the season opener. He was named to College Football News and Sporting News′ Freshman All-American teams.^[3] Despite his strong on-the-field performance for the Gators over three seasons, Jenkins was kicked off the team after he was charged with possession of marijuana in April 2011.^[4]

Jenkins subsequently transferred and attended the University of North Alabama for his senior year, after signing an athletic grant-in-aid to play for the North Alabama Lions football team under head coach Terry Bowden.

Professional career

2012 NFL Combine

St. Louis Rams

2012 season

Jenkins was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the 39th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.^[7]

In Week 1 against the Detroit Lions, Jenkins recorded his first career interception, returning it 34 yards.

In Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals, he returned two interceptions for touchdowns against fellow rookie Ryan Lindley, becoming the first Rams player to ever return two interceptions for touchdowns in a single regular season game.

Jenkins won the team's Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award for his record-setting season. ^[8] Jenkins also tied an NFL rookie record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns, and tied Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman for the league lead.^[9] His four defensive touchdowns (3 INTs, 1 fumble recovery) led the NFL that season.^[10]

2013 season

Jenkins finished with 55 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception in 2013.^[11]

2014 season

Jenkins saw an upgraded role in 2014 as the Rams' starting cornerback. He finished with 55 tackles and 2 interceptions. His two interceptions came against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, and against the San Diego Chargers in Week 12. Both interceptions were returned for touchdowns.^[12] Jenkins' interception against San Diego was returned for 99 yards. ^[13] Jenkins, along with teammate Tavon Austin, was named a Pro Bowl Alternate, as a cornerback. ^[14]

2015 season

Jenkins had an exceptional season in 2015. Jenkins had three interceptions in the season to increase his career total 10.^[15] Pro Football Focus ranked Jenkins as the 25th best cornerback in the NFL in 2015 with an overall grade of 80.2.^[16] At one point late in the season, Jenkins was ranked as high as the 11th best cornerback in the NFL.^[17] Jenkins became a free-agent after the Rams chose to franchise-tag Trumaine Johnson.

New York Giants

2016 season

On March 9, 2016, Jenkins signed a five-year, $62.5 million contract with the New York Giants.^[18] The contract includes $28.80 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $10.00 million.^[19]

In his debut with the New York Giants, he earned three tackles and held Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, Dez Bryant to only 1 catch for 8 yards in the season opening 20-19 victory over the Cowboys. The following week, he recorded a total of 8 tackles and two pass deflections against the New Orleans Saints, while also returning a blocked field goal for a Giants touchdown. On October 9, 2016, he intercepted Packer's quarterback Aaron Rodgers twice, made two tackles and three pass deflections. Jenkins became the first person to intercept Rodgers twice in just one game at Lambeau Field. On November 14, 2016, Jenkins made six tackles and a pass deflection while holding A. J. Green, the NFL's leading receiver, to four catches for 23-yards.^[20][21] On November 27, 2016, after a Giants victory against the Cleveland Browns, Jenkins held Browns wide receiver, Terrelle Pryor to only one catch for 14 yards, including two pass deflections. In the Giants 10-7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, Jenkins had one pick and only held Dez Bryant to one catch for ten yards in which Jenkins actually forced a fumble. Jenkins left the game in a 17-6 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 15 with a back injury and did not return in the second quarter. Jenkins was selected to be a starter in the 2017 Pro Bowl for the first time in his career as well as receiving Second-team All-Pro Honors.

Career NFL statistics

^[22]

Personal life

On June 1, 2009, Jenkins was arrested near a bar by Gainesville Police for fighting and resisting arrest after punching a man in the head around 2:00 a.m. Police were forced to use a taser on Jenkins after fighting escalated. When asked why the fight started, Jenkins told police it was because he thought someone was going to steal the gold chain around his neck.^[23]

On April 23, 2011, Jenkins was cited by a Gainesville police officer and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession. He was cited for the same violation in January 2011, and paid a $316 fine. He was arrested in May 2009 during a downtown Gainesville fight that resulted in probation and community service. On April 26, 2011, he was dismissed by the Florida Gators football team, due to his second drug related arrest in 3 months.^[24]

Jenkins is cousins with Chicago Bears linebacker, Pernell McPhee.^[25]

References

External links

• Florida profile