Janoris Jenkins Combine: Former Gators Star's Honesty Shows His Maturity

Cornerback prospect Janoris Jenkins must not only prove to NFL teams that he has enough talent to be taken high in the first round, he must convince them that he's a more mature young man than he was as a player at Florida.

Jenkins was arrested three times in addition to failing a drug test during his time with the Gators, and was eventually kicked off the team.

At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this weekend, Jenkins showed that he's a more mature person than he once was by not shying away from the tough questions reporters threw his way.

He spoke at the combine about not associating himself with the wrong crowd and helping his family.

Via USA Today:

"

"I have to eliminate myself from some of those guys I used to hang with,'' Jenkins said. "I think about my mom all the time and my kids. For them to have a great life, I have to put that stuff behind me.

"My last time smoking was before I got kicked out of Florida.''

"

As much as his skills were on display at the combine, Jenkins had to present himself to teams in a professional manner and prove he's a changed man.

ESPN's Todd McShay explained this via USA Today:

"

"He has to interview well, explain himself and show teams some of those problems are behind him, and that he's genuinely trying to mature and do the right things and just focus on football."

"

Jenkins played this past season at North Alabama, which is certainly a much different environment from the Swamp in Gainesville.

Someone will take Jenkins in the first round because he has the talent necessary to soon become an elite NFL corner, but how high he goes will be determined by if teams believe his past character issues remain a problem or not.

Talking to reporters and answering difficult questions was a great first step for Jenkins, and so far, he looks like he's learned from his mistakes and is committed to moving on in a positive way.

Hopefully Jenkins realizes that playing in the NFL is a challenging job and that to realize his dream, he needs to act like a professional on and off the field.

I really hope he does because Jenkins has enormous talent and could become a real NFL star.

Follow @NicholasGoss35