Round 2 – No. 39

Janoris Jenkins, CB

St. Louis Rams



Height: 5’10” – Weight: 193 lbs.

Age: 23 – Class: Senior (North Alabama)

Despite being dismissed from the Florida Gators and playing the 2011 season for the North Alabama Lions, cornerback Janoris Jenkins still represents the orange and blue for many fans. He will don his third uniform in as many years this season after being selected by the St. Louis Rams with the No. 39 overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft on Friday.

A starter at Florida for three seasons, Jenkins was dismissed from the team after being arrested for possession of marijuana on April 23, 2011. It was his second arrest for marijuana possession in under 90 days and his third arrest overall in 23 months – all while a member of the Gators football team.

Jenkins was originally expected to declare early for the 2011 NFL Draft but chose to stay at Florida another year after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason. He never got that opportunity and instead transferred to North Alabama to play out his final year.

Heading into the draft, Jenkins was the subject of much chatter around league circles. His multiple arrests as well as the fact that he has four children under the age of four birthed by three different women created a number of red flags for teams. Once considered a unanimous top-15 pick, Jenkins’ stock appeared to slide further and further each day as additional rumors (he allegedly continued smoking at UNA) and actions (switching agents) became public knowledge.

However, the Rams are obviously confident in his ability and believe his claims that his troubled past is in the rear view mirror and are willing to take a chance on this first-round talent. Jenkins will likely have an opportunity to compete for a starting job as a rookie and his selection could pay dividends for St. Louis