Jenkins time to shine is now

TAMPA, Fla. - Despite being a starter for a state championship team at Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson in 2010, Adrian Jenkins didn't get a ton of passes thrown his way in games.

The reason?

The Dragons had two receivers that would later sign with FBS programs on the field with him.

With those players leaving, Jenkins knows the time to shine is now.

"This spring is going to be real big for me," Jenkins told Rivals.com.

He is off to a good start.

During last weekend's Badger Sports Elite 7 on 7 across town from his school at the University of South Florida, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Jenkins made his presence known throughout the event by being one of the top receivers in attendance. His performance was a significant factor in Team Tampa's run to the semifinals.

"I think I played pretty good," Jenkins said. "I ran some good routes and I separated from a lot of the cornerbacks better than I thought I would. I've been working on my speed, and looking the ball all the way in."

Thus far, Jenkins has but one offer. It came from FCS program Bethune-Cookman, which signed Jefferson's record-setting quarterback, Quentin Williams, in February. Additionally, Jenkins is hearing from schools such as Cincinnati, Iowa State, Michigan State, Purdue and South Florida.

"It's difficult," Jenkins admitted. "You see players around you starting to get them. It makes me want one that much more. I talked to USF and I'm talking to Purdue and Michigan State. I think [offers] might be coming. That's what most of them are saying. They say they know I'm a good player, but they want to watch me in the spring."

Even though he was the third receiving option on his own team last fall - (behind teammates Andre Davis, a USF signee, and Chris Moore, who inked with Cincinnati -- Jenkins said playing and practicing with Williams, the state's all-time leader in passing touchdowns, was beneficial.

"He helped me run better routes," Jenkins said. "And I learned a lot about defenses."