As we look forward to the 2014 USF Football season, we'll spend part of the summer looking back with the Voice of the Bulls Jim Louk. Louk has compiled his list of the 10 most influential Bulls in program history. As the radio voice for Bulls football since its inception in 1997, Louk has personally witnessed every game in the program's history and worked closely with coaches and players. Yet, his list may not line up perfectly with yours. Discussion and debate is welcome. Join the discussion by sending your list or feedback to @USFJimLouk and use the hashtag #USF10. 

We'll list these 10 players in no particular order in the coming weeks leading up to 2014 USF training camp. Selected players may or may not have huge statistics or have been a part of the big plays we all remember.  But, because of their talent, their effort or even their timing, they influenced the USF program greatly during our first 17 years of football.

First installment: Hugh Smith

Second Installment: Chad Barnhardt

Third Installment: Bill Gramatica

 Fourth Installment: Matt Grothe

Fifth Installment: Jason Pierre-Paul

Sixth Installment: Andre Hall

By JIM LOUK

Voice of the Bulls

TAMPA, JULY 30, 2014 - Mike Jenkins only started three games in his freshman year, and his 2004 Bulls team only went 4-7.  But there were glimpses of his talent that first year, including a blocked punt in his very first college game against Tennessee Tech.  While primarily known for his play in the secondary, that wouldn't be the last time Jenkins would excel on special teams as well as defense.

Jenkins became a full-time starter in 2005, as the Bulls joined the Big East and the bowl game appearances began.  By the time his career ended in El Paso at the 2007 Sun Bowl, he had carved his niche in Bulls history. The sight of Jenkins punishing receivers, his long hair flying out from under his helmet, is a sight few Bulls fans will soon forget.

Entering the 2014 season, Jenkins remains USF's all-time leader in passes defended (47) and pass breakups (41). Curious statistics in that you would think defenses would have stopped throwing in his direction as his reputation grew.  But there were challenges in that too, with Trae Williams and a host of other defensive backs giving the Bulls a fearsome secondary in that era.

Still, Jenkins was the leader of the pack.  An extremely physical player, his de-helmeting of Cincinnati wide receiver Marcus Bennett remains a fan favorite, and a YouTube staple. 

In his senior year, Jenkins provided another glimpse of both his athletic ability and his durability. It's not standard procedure for a starting defensive back to return kicks as well.  Often it's just too much running.   But Jenkins added those duties for a short time in 2007 and on Nov. 3 of that year, the results were electric.  Jenkins returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score, setting a USF record later tied by Lindsay Lamar.  Jenkins had 192 yards of kickoff returns that day, which still stands as a USF single-game mark.

With so many players on this list though, it's not necessarily about numbers, stats or even records.  It's often about attitude. Mike Jenkins was an intimidator.  He was physical.  Disruptive.  He made quarterbacks wary and wide receivers nervous. 

The pros noticed.  Jenkins went on to be a first-round draft pick and a longtime NFL player.  Long before that, he was a symbol of the toughness and the athleticism of the Bulls teams from a decade ago.