Michigan football is buzzing about this senior defender

The words “freak” and “mutant” are often used to describe Kris Jenkins, a senior defensive tackle on the 2023 Michigan football roster. While the team is yet to name captains this year, it appears likely that Jenkins will be taking on a huge role as a leader both on and off of the football field — throughout fall camp (and beyond), the Wolverines’ coaching staff and other players have been raving about Jenkins, pinning him as a potential superstar for the coming season.

Michigan football senior has the nation buzzing

If you ask just about anyone in the Michigan football locker room, they will confirm that Kris Jenkins defies the laws of nature. With Jenkins stepping into a much larger role for the Wolverines this year, it’s becoming clear that the Maize and Blue may have one of the best players in college football along their defensive line — not only can Jenkins rush the passer, but his massive, 300+ pound frame can eat up blocks, bull rush the interior of the offensive line, and more.

Yesterday, Michigan football offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart was asked about Kris Jenkins — his answer was short and sweet. “Yeah, Kris Jenkins is a freak,” he said.

Kris Jenkins has a unique athletic skill set, but he sets himself apart off the field just as much as he does when on the field. It has been well documented that Jenkins has a unique personality in the public eye, but sophomore defensive tackle Mason Graham states that he is the same guy off the field as well.

“Yeah, he’s the same guy all the time,” Graham said. “Coach Harbaugh honored him with this award, ‘enthusiasm unknown to mankind’ recently, and I think that’s exactly what he exemplifies. He’s just a great guy to be around, brings energy to the group.”

Kris Jenkins and the defensive line are outperforming expectations

Michigan’s offensive line has won a pair of Joe Moore Awards (an NCAA record), and this year, it could somehow get even better. Yet, during the Wolverines’ first fall scrimmage game at Michigan Stadium, Jim Harbaugh claims that Kris Jenkins and the defensive line got the better of it.

“… I would even say, as good as the offensive line has been, that the defense and the defensive line probably got the better of it (during the scrimmage),” Harbaugh explained. “The 51% I would send that way. That’s Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Kris Jenkins, Cam Goode has really excelled.”

Jenkins is a man on a mission, according to Jesse Minter

Kris Jenkins also was the top Michigan football standout listed on this year’s annual “Freaks List,” which details college football’s most impressive and inexplicable players — he ranked 6th. Last year, Mazi Smith — a first-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys — came in at No. 1 on the list. According to second-year defensive play caller Jesse Minter, Jenkins is playing like the freak that he is right now; in fact, Minter says that Jenkins is on a mission this year.

“(Kris Jenkins) is playing really, really well right now,” Minter explained. “The great thing about Kris — last year he got some accolades, he probably could have gone to the NFL and maybe been a day two draft choice. But he came back with a mission of ‘these are the things I want to get better at.’ Number one, to really, really hold up, I need to get my weight up to a certain amount. But really, number two, to really, really be a guy that they really want high up in the draft–not at a 325 maybe like Mazi (Smith) but out of 300-305, ‘I need to also be an elite pass rusher.’ I know I’ve heard him say it, the obsession that our guys have with it, but that is real.

“Kris has been obsessed with being better as a pass rusher since the day he stepped back here on campus. And it’s showing up. So he’s moving really well, he’s still the same player against the run with 20 extra pounds. Watching him battle with (Zak) zinter and Key (Trevor Keegan), those are really fun, elite matchups that’s really the best on best in college football and so it’s great everyday to be able to go against those guys and Kris to be able to iron his game against players like that. I expect big things from this year.”

The nation is abuzz about this senior Michigan football defensive lineman, so keep an eye on Kris Jenkins when game time rolls around in just two weeks.

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