Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is among the best interior defensive linemen in the country. Jenkins has been a crucial part of a top-ranked defense that’s allowing an unheard-of 5.9 points per contest. Jenkins and the Wolverines have held six of their seven opponents to seven points or less this season.
The No. 70 overall player in our latest TDN100 update, Jenkins spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about The Big Ten Championship, winning a National Championship, and more. Jenkins also discussed his skill set as a pass rusher and run defender, his go-to pass-rushing moves, lessons learned from his father, and so much more.
JM: Your father was a second-round pick and played 10 seasons in the NFL. What’s the biggest piece of advice he’s ever given you?
Kris Jenkins: Honestly, his biggest advice to me has been to stay hungry. Be hungry every single step of the way. You can’t ever get complacent. Complacency kills careers. It destroys careers. Complacency kills motivation. I have to continue to be hungry. That’s how you find ways to be better both as a player and as a man.
That’s been the biggest thing he’s told me. He’s always influenced me to do more, to strive for new goals. The praise I receive doesn’t matter. Regardless of what others may say, good or bad, I continue to work hard. He always encourages me that there's more I can do every single day.
JM: Which areas of your game have grown the most from last season to this year?
Kris Jenkins: To be honest with you, I’d point out my pass-rushing abilities. It’s grown a lot. In my opinion, I think I can continue taking steps in that area, but it’s gotten better already. My pass-rushing, my football awareness, and football IQ, they’ve taken steps.
I played a bit more timidly last year. If I didn’t know what play the offense was calling, if I didn’t know where the quarterback was going, I didn't necessarily take many chances. Maybe I worked down the middle as opposed to committing to working down the edge.
Being able to trust myself, trust my speed, trust my abilities, it’s made a big difference. I’ve been able to work more moves. I’ve placed more stress and pressure on quarterbacks this year. That’s been my biggest goal this season. I’ve started taking steps there, and I’m looking forward to taking even bigger steps in the future.
JM: Absolutely. You’ve played with so many amazing players throughout your tenure. What did you learn from playing with Kwity Paye, Aidan Hutchinson, and so many others?
Kris Jenkins: I paid close attention to their motor and how they attacked every single day. To be honest with you, I’m lucky enough to be considered one of those guys by coach Jim Harbaugh. With Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson, coach Harbaugh would tell you they attacked each day with enthusiasm unknown to mankind.
They came in every single day with a high motor. They gave it 100%. They always came in to be a little bit better than they were yesterday. The day-to-day consistency was amazing. They never switched up. They always looked for ways to get better regardless of where they were at in their careers.
The praise never mattered to them. That really stuck with me. Seeing guys that were that athletic, that talented, willing to go the extra mile every single day to take the next step. That’s what I try to aspire to be during every single practice.
JM: And with their departures, you had to step into a bigger role and become more of a vocal leader. How have you embraced that this season?
Kris Jenkins: Absolutely. I’ve really tried to embrace that this season with everything we have going on. I’m not a huge rah-rah guy. But like my family says about me, when something needs to be said, I’ll say it. When we’re getting ready to exit that tunnel, it’s a big moment, best believe I’m ready to speak up and get my guys hyped up. I’m blessed to be in this position.
I’ve earned the respect of my teammates. When I speak, the guys listen to me. They’re always ready to go to war with me. We’re in this together. That's what I focus on. The guys on this team genuinely want to listen to what I have to say. That’s a huge honor to me.
JM: You touched on coach Harbaugh a minute ago. What have you learned from playing for coach Harbaugh? How has he prepared you for what comes next?
Kris Jenkins: Honestly, I’ve learned so much from coach Harbaugh. I’d probably say the biggest lesson was to never flinch and to be present in the moment. “Be where your feet are,” he says.
We’re going to be faced with adversity every single day. You never know what’s going to come next. You should never look ahead. Be where your feet are. Focus on how you’re going to attack each day. Be the same person today that you were yesterday. In fact, be better.
Don’t flinch regardless of what adversity you may face. Regardless of what happens, continue to be a great person every single day. That’s the biggest lesson my time with coach Harbaugh has taught me.
JM: I love that. You have terrific size for the position at approximately 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds. How do you utilize size and power to your advantage on a snap-by-snap basis?
Kris Jenkins: I try to utilize size and power throughout my launch, quickness, and agility. I’m always trying to utilize every ounce of strength I have to my power. I’ve been blessed with an excellent strength and conditioning staff here at Michigan. They’ve allowed me to tap into all of my athleticism and strength on the field.
JM: At this point, would you say you’re more developed as a pass rusher, or as a run-stopper?
Kris Jenkins: Honestly, at this point, I’m probably more of a run-stopper. But my pass-rushing ability, as I said earlier, my pass-rush awareness has come a long way. I’m always looking to improve both as a run-stopper and as a pass-rusher. I’m not a perfect run-stopper. I’m trying to get better.
JM: What does wearing the Maize and Blue mean to you?
Kris Jenkins: It means everything to me. My journey through this building, how many great people I’ve seen come and go, how many brothers I’ve gained on this team, the father figures on the coaching staff. These are the things I’ll never forget. Everybody has helped develop me from a boy to a man. All the love I get from this program, the fans, every single person I see on a daily basis, we all bleed Maize and Blue. It means the world to me.
I wouldn’t be happier anywhere else. This is my home. It’s always going to be my home. I’m honored. I’ll always do whatever I can do to make the people that have worn the winged helmet proud.
