Janoris Jenkins Still Top NFL Draft Prospect After Drug History?
Janoris Jenkins, who has been named a top NFL draft pick, recently spoke out about his drug past at an NFL Scouting Combine.
Janoris Jenkins was forced to face his past Sunday, after a series of questions were presented to him concerning his drug history and prior arrests. Jenkins has three previous arrests, two of which are for drug related charges. He was also charged for fighting and resisting arrest in 2009.
Jenkins began his college football career at the University of Florida. He was dismissed by Florida coach, Will Muschamp, following his second drug-related arrest within a three month period. Jenkins was later picked up by North Alabama, and went from playing in front of almost a 100,000 to playing in front of less than 10,000.
Despite the shift, Jenkins was still able to maintain a successful football career. During the conference Jenkins spoke frankly.
"I was honest, straightforward, told them I did it. I admitted to everything," he said Sunday of his team meetings. "I came in here to show them I'm not a bad kid, I've made a few mistakes and I learned from them."
He also revealed how his mistakes had helped him to reshape his future goals.
"It made me a stronger person, taught me how to fight through reality; that I've got to separate myself from certain guys, certain people. To be successful at the next level I can't do the things I used to do," Jenkins told reporters.
The 23-year-old football player is also the father of three kids, the youngest aged three months. When asked about his drug usage, he called it a thing of the past.
"I'm done with it forever, man. I can't do it. It's something I can't let myself do again," he said.
Jenkins appeared confident about his future in the NFL.
"I'm … looking forward to moving on and being successful from here on out," Jenkins said. "There's some great guys in the NFL, it's going to be a great challenge week in and week out. I'm going to come in and work, put in some good work, watch film and just compete."
