Jenkins Ready to Lead the Secondary

For the previous two seasons, cornerback Joe Haden has been the face of the Florida Gators' secondary, but Janoris Jenkins has been holding his own at the other corner spot. With Haden leaving for the NFL Draft, it will be on Jenkins to lead the unit. He will be the only returning corner back with much game experience and is still getting use to the new group.

After just a few practices, Janoris Jenkins is still adjusting back to being on the field.

“I'm getting back out here, getting used to the feel, the plays, the news corners out here,” Jenkins said.

For his first two seasons, Jenkins has only had to worry about making plays on the field. Now he is going to have to make sure the other cornerbacks are doing what they need to.

“I got to take more of a leadership role, lead the younger guys,” Jenkins said.

If Jenkins ever had any problems or questions, he has always had Haden to rely on for help.

But now it will be on him to provide that leadership. That doesn't mean it isn't weird not having Haden opposite him.

“It's kind of (strange), but life goes on and I got a new set of guys to work with,” Jenkins said.

A pair of incoming freshman and a pair of veterans, who missed time last season because of injuries.

Joshua Shaw and Jaylen Watkins come to Florida with plenty of hype and a head start to win a starting job their freshman season.

Moses Jenkins, who was out most the year after suffering a concussion at Kentucky, and Jeremy Brown, who has not played in his two years at UF because of back injuries, are trying to finally crack the starting lineup.

Janoris has been impressed with all of his fellow corners.

“All of them are doing well, all of the working hard, running to the ball, trying to learn the plays,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins is not just worried about leading the inexperienced group, but he also still sees flaws in his game that he is looking to fix before the 2010 season.

“My biggest area for improvement is better tackling and keeping my eyes on my receiver,” Jenkins said.