Two football players arrested in fight outside bar

Two USF defensive backs — Mike Jenkins, 22, and Carlton Williams, 21 — were arrested outside off-campus bar and restaurant Bobalouie’s Friday and charged with misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and obstructing or opposing an officer without violence. USF student Jeff Smalls, 19, of 3414 Jefferson Commons Drive, was also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred after a Bobalouie’s manager called police to disperse a crowd of more than 200 people gathered outside the bar early Friday morning. When a deputy arrived around 3 a.m., a large fight broke out, leading to the three arrests, police said.

Jenkins, who turned 22 on Thursday, and Williams were each booked and released on a $750 bond Friday morning. Police declined to book Smalls and gave him a notice to appear in court.

The players began spring practice with the rest of the USF football team Tuesday. Friday was their first day off. Jefferson, a freshman majoring in business administration, will turn 20 on Monday.

Jenkins, from Bradenton, has started at cornerback for the last three years and considered the NFL before opting to return this year. Williams, from Valsosta, Ga., started eight games at free safety last year and is listed as the team’s starting strong safety on the spring depth chart.

According to police records, Friday’s incident marked the 19th time this year HCSO officers were called to Bobalouie’s, located at 1913 E. Bearss Avenue.

Jenkins, Williams, Smalls and coach Jim Leavitt could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.