No one was surprised when defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd and safety Matt Elam announced their intentions to forgo their senior seasons and declare for the NFL draft.
No one criticized their decisions because both juniors excelled in 2012.
Floyd consistently demanded multiple blockers and closed gaps, while Elam was a gamechanger against both the run and pass. Both started every game for Florida.
Jelani Jenkins didn’t.
He missed four games and left two others due to thumb, hamstring and foot injuries. Many have questioned his decision to head to the NFL early because of his injury-shortened junior season.
Shouldn’t he come back to school next year and prove he can stay on the field all season?
Despite these legitimate concerns, Jenkins made the right call.
NFL offenses are passing more than ever before. Tight ends are a major part of most of the league’s best offenses.
Last season in the NFL, six tight ends finished in the top 30 in catches. Both Dallas’ Jason Witten and Atlanta’s Tony Gonzalez were in the top 10. Not among those six is New England’s two-headed monster, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski.
In 2002, Jeremy Shockey ranked 25th in the league with 74 receptions. He was the only tight end in the top 30.
Linebackers who are strong in pass coverage are at a premium because of the growing significance of the tight end.
Those coverage skills aren’t going to abandon Jenkins unless he has to undergo serious knee surgery.
The broken foot and broken thumb he suffered last season aren’t likely to be chronic or recurring issues.
Jenkins made the right decision to leave college and avoid the risk of a career-threatening injury before his first payday.
“He’s the best cover linebacker in college football today,” ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay said in October.
“Great speed and instincts and anticipation in coverage. He’s picking the right time to go to the NFL with so much focus on being able to cover in the passing game.”
ESPN ranked Jenkins the third-best outside linebacker in the draft and has projected him to be the second-best linebacker available after the first round.
With a good showing at the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 20-26, Jenkins could solidify himself as a second- or third-round pick.
Jenkins would have been taking a risk had he elected to return to a defense replacing two starters at the safety, linebacker and defensive tackle positions.
Unless several inexperienced players who are being thrust into starting roles show significant improvement, the odds are Florida’s defense will regress at least a little bit in 2013.
Elam and Josh Evans wouldn’t be covering ground behind Jenkins.
Floyd and Omar Hunter wouldn’t be around to take up space in front of him.
Jon Bostic wouldn’t be around to help Jenkins make the defensive calls.
Jenkins would have been forced to take on a significantly increased burden in keeping the defense on track.
Expecting his play not to drop off would have been unreasonable.
Although his final college season might not have been as fulfilling as he had hoped, Jenkins is doing the right thing by not giving it another try.
Contact Josh Jurnovoy at jjurnovoy@alligator.org.
Jelani Jenkins (3) returns an interception during Florida’s 37-26 win against Florida State on Nov. 24 at Doak Campbell Stadium. Jenkins was one of three former Gators chosen by the Miami Dolphins on Friday.
