Nearly all of the defensive offseason hype for Michigan football has centered around one player: defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.
Sure, there was hype around cornerback Amorion Walker during the spring after he switched from wide receiver, but when it comes to hype meeting likely production, Jenkins is particularly notable. Some early 2024 NFL mock drafts indicate the former three-star could be a first-round pick next year.
Jenkins really burst onto the scene last season, going from playing second fiddle to Mazi Smith to cementing himself as one of the best — if not the best — defensive tackle in the conference. But he played at 285 pounds. Now with Smith gone to the NFL, Jenkins has made it a priority to bulk up given he’ll be a focal point of the defense.
Well, it appears he’s done just that.
Taking to Twitter, Jenkins posted that he’s up to 309 pounds, nearly 25 pounds heavier than he was a year ago.
Ngl i got beefed🥴🥴 pic.twitter.com/4wUwVYNZNv
— Kris Jenkins (@KrisJenkinsJr1) May 26, 2023
Despite losing Smith to the NFL, the Michigan football defensive line is expected to truly stand out this year. In addition to Jenkins, sophomores Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, junior Rayshaun Benny and graduate Cam Goode earned high praise from coaches this spring.
Jenkins said during spring ball that, besides his goal of playing above 300 pounds this year, he wanted to improve in terms of leadership.
“I feel like this year I’m starting to find a newfound level of confidence, which I really love and enjoy,” Jenkins said. “As well as that experience kind of helping me being able to trust the process. Because I’ve been here before, so it definitely improved my confidence in that aspect.
“So, I want to continue to trend (upwards) — one of my goals, which is being a leader on and off the field, so that’s one of the main things I’m going to continue to work on as the season progresses.”
One goal down, the others? We’ll find out more as fall camp approaches.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3]
[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal title=”An offer for Wolverines fans” description=”For the best local Detroit news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.” url=”https://subscribe.freep.com/offers?gps-source=CPSMGMIDARTICLE&utm_source=smg&utm_medium=inline&utm_content=wolverineswire&utm_campaign=smgtolocal” button_text=”$1 for 3 months”]