Janoris Jenkins Arrested: Florida Gators Cornerback Booked On Marijuana Charge
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been arrested on a marijuana possession charge, his second arrest in the past 20 months.
It's also the first arrest under new coach Will Muschamp, who vowed to have players represent the university "the Florida way."
Jenkins was arrested early Saturday in a Gainesville nightclub. Corporal Tscharna Senn, public information officer for the Gainesville Police Department, said officers patrolling downtown clubs spotted Jenkins in a public bathroom rolling a marijuana cigarette. She said Jenkins had a "small, clear bag of cannabis."
Jenkins was charged with possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, a misdemeanor. He was not taken to jail. Instead, he was released after signing a notice to appear in court Feb. 17.
"We are aware of the incident with Janoris Jenkins and will handle it internally at this time," Muschamp said in a statement released by the school.
It's certainly not the start Muschamp wanted at Florida.
"There's a certain thing that I'm going to refer to as the Florida way, and that's the way they need to act and that's the way they need to represent our University," Muschamp said during his introductory news conference last month. "And I'm going to demand that and I think that you'll understand in time that that's something that's very important to me."
Former coach Urban Meyer's tenure was filled with off-the-field issues. The Gators had 30 arrests involving 27 players during Meyer's six seasons.
One of those included Jenkins. Police used a stun gun when arresting him in May 2009 and Jenkins was charged with affray and resisting arrest without violence. Jenkins said he was fighting back after a man tried to pull a gold chain off his neck.
Jenkins signed a deferred prosecution agreement the following month and got his record wiped clean after serving probation and performing community service.
Jenkins, considered one of the top cornerbacks in the Southeastern Conference, decided two weeks ago to return to school for his senior season. He's a three-year starter who played most of last year with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He missed the Outback Bowl following surgery.
Despite the injury, Jenkins enjoyed his best season. He pretty much shut down the league's best receivers. Georgia's A.J. Green, Alabama's Julio Jones and South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery averaged 38 yards receiving against Jenkins and had one touchdown between them.
Many believed Jenkins would turn leave early. But after Muschamp took over and hired several assistants with NFL backgrounds, Jenkins opted to stay in school, rehab his shoulder and possibly improve his draft stock this fall. Now, he's facing almost certain punishment for his arrest.
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MARK LONG 01/24/11 04:08 PM ET Associated Press