Jenkins’ move to corner helps Snyder rest easier

Posted Aug 30, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Aug 30, 2011 at 10:36 PM

The big-play ability of Notre Dame’s offense is the first thing that stands out to USF defensive coordinator Mark Snyder, and the Irish’s weapons on the outside, particularly standout receiver Michael Floyd, are a primary concern for Saturday’s season opener.

The thought of any of the host of inexperienced options the Bulls had vying for backup cornerback spots behind starters Quenton Washington and Kayvon Webster matching up against a formidable Irish receiving corps was tough for Snyder to bear. To help alleviate some of the concern, redshirt sophomore JaQuez Jenkins was moved from safety to help bolster the team’s depth at the corner position.

“Thank goodness (Jenkins) moved. This Michael Floyd kid is as good as I’ve seen since Braylon Edwards, and I thought Braylon was pretty good,” Snyder said of the former Michigan standout, who he faced while serving as defensive coordinator at Ohio State. “He may be better than Braylon Edwards. To put a young corner that’s never played out there, it frightens me.”

Jenkins, who played cornerback in high school and gained valuable experience last year in a reserve role at safety, offers a similar sense of relief for Snyder to the move Mistral Raymond made last year. Snyder said then that Raymond’s position switch from safety to corner helped him sleep again at night.

“It’s exactly the same thing,” Snyder said. “(Jenkins) brings length to the position, he’s got range, he’s faster than Raymond. JaQuez can run, and he’s a physical guy too, not that Skinny wasn’t. This is a really good move for us.”

Snyder now is comfortable with his top three options at corner in Washington, Webster and Jenkins, but after that?

“I go back to not sleeping at night,” he said with a smile.