TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Brandon Jenkins said he struggled with the decision. But as he closes in on a degree and also weighed his future options, Florida State's All-American defensive end came to a conclusion.
"I think it's time," Jenkins said. "It's been great. I love FSU. I bleed garnet and gold. My time has been good, but I will enter the draft."
Jenkins, a senior, suffered a season-ending foot injury in the Seminoles' season-opening win over Murray State on Sept. 1. He had surgery on the foot and is in a walking boot until the end of November, when he can begin rehabilitation workouts in a pool.
He could have taken a medical redshirt for the 2012 season and returned to campus to play next fall. But Jenkins said that he recently came to the decision to enter the NFL Draft, and he informed coach Jimbo Fisher, assistant coaches and teammates.
"That was one of the most emotional times in my life talking to coach Fisher," Jenkins said. "I gave him a hug. He cares about me as an individual and not just as a football player. He supports my decision."
A native of Tallahassee who played at Florida High, Jenkins returned to Florida State after a junior season in which he had 41 tackles and eight sacks. He finishes his college career with 22.5 sacks and 37.5 tackles for loss.
Jenkins said he is on track to graduate with his degree in Sociology on Dec. 14. As he looked back on his career at Florida State, Jenkins said he doesn't second-guess his decision to stay despite the injury.
"You can never look back and regret things," Jenkins said. "I don't regret anything playing around this great defense and great individuals."
