Former University of Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins renewed his college career after being offered a second chance at UNA.

After reports show Jenkins had several encounters with the law and was dismissed from Florida’s team, Jenkins decided to redeem his college football career and his image with the UNA Lions for his senior year in hopes of reviving his NFL future.

As a First-Team All-SEC pick last year for the Florida Gators and a potential first round pick in next year’s NFL draft, Jenkins felt that returning for one more year under the leadership of UNA Head Coach Terry Bowden would be the best decision.

“I chose UNA because Coach Bowden has the name, and I got along with the coaches during my first visit,” Jenkins said. “The coaches were honest and I loved the family atmosphere.”

Jenkins has spent this past summer training and working out with his teammates to improve his physical skills and form new relationships with his teammates.

“Jenkins has been injured a lot in the past,” Bowden said. “He recently got banged up at practice a couple of times, but overall he has a good body.”

Bowden is excited to have Jenkins out on the field for practices and games.

Jenkins hopes to help his teammates better themselves during the process of working their way to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. He remains humble and compliments his fellow teammates often, saying that everyone is ultimately a lead player.

“We’re going to be a good team this year,” Jenkins said. “We have a lot of talented guys on our team, and as long as we keep a family atmosphere, we will all work together fine at practice and during games.”

While the speed of Division II football moves at a different pace from Division I, Jenkins explained that he doesn’t mind the change because he is solely focused on the rewards to come. Jenkins is pleased that the coaches and his teammates have accepted him and that they leave his past behind.

When Jenkins is not on the field, he spends his time improving his image by mentoring a young man at Florence High School. If any other free time is offered to Jenkins, he enjoys playing video games and basketball.

Jenkins, along with the rest of the football team, is scheduled to play his first game on Sept. 1 at home versus Central Oklahoma, kicking off at 7 p.m.