Kris Jenkins looks back on pre-draft process, visit with Jim Harbaugh and Los Angeles Chargers
Three months ago, Kris Jenkins and Michigan were on top of the college football world. The Wolverines had just won their first national title since 1997 and completed the first 15-0 season in program history.
Jenkins and many of his teammates kept busy after that, though. Since the title celebration, they went through the pre-NFL Draft process – a journey that will come to an end next week in Detroit.
It’s been a whirlwind, and Jenkins said that’s why he’s soaking up every minute.
The time has been flying so fast, and it’s crazy,” Jenkins told On3 via Zoom. “One minute, you’re hoisting the national championship trophy. Next thing you know, you’re in Indy for the Combine. And then after that, you’re doing Pro Day and now, we’ve got a week until it really starts going down.
“It’s just crazy how fast the time flies, so just been enjoying every single opportunity, every single moment of this process.”
When the national championship ended, the first question around the Michigan program was Jim Harbaugh’s future. Rumors flew around all season long about a potential NFL return, and that got louder as the race to the title game continued.
Ultimately, he chose to head back to the league with the Los Angeles Chargers. But he still had a chance to talk with members of the 2023 team ahead of the draft through team visits. That includes Jenkins, who met with the Chargers earlier this week.
It was certainly different, but he saw the same Harbaugh he saw in Ann Arbor. But Jenkins got some perspective on how much is changing in just the next week.
“Especially seeing how surreal it was Coach Harbaugh. All the coaches – Coach [Ben Herbert], Coach [Jesse Minter], Coach [Mike] Elston. All the Michigan coaches that moved on to the next level and seeing them,” Jenkins said of what stood out from his team meetings. “Seeing them in the NFL uniforms, seeing them ready to go. We’re chatting it up like nothing’s changed, but really in reality, this is it. This is real. Come Thursday, Friday, wherever my name ends up, that’s gonna be me in a week.
“We’re gonna see, man. I’m excited.”
Of course, the Chargers weren’t Jenkins’ only visit through the process. He also met with the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. He watched his dad, Kris Jenkins Sr., succeed in the NFL and, obviously, watched games growing up. But to go in the facilities and meet with coaches he’s seen from afar over the years was an experience he’ll never forget.
“It’s been awesome, especially being a kid, growing up seeing all these coaches on TV and dreaming of moments of being part of teams and organizations like this,” Jenkins said. “Now, this is it. This is the opportunity. This is real. You get an opportunity to show the world on the best stage the type of player you are.
“Everybody said I’m the type of guy where I always smile and I’m happy to be here, and that really is what it is. I’m just excited to make the most of whatever opportunity I’m given.”
Jenkins’ smile lights up a room and was on full display throughout a successful final season at Michigan. He plans to keep smiling at the next level, too – no matter what he’s doing.
“You’re getting all of me. And you’re getting me fired up, whatever I’m gonna be doing,” Jenkins said. “I’m blessed to be able to be in this position, to even have this opportunity. So I’m gonna absolutely do my part and making the most of that. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing – conditioning, it doesn’t matter practicing, long days. I’m gonna do it with a smile on my face because this is a dream for me.
“This is when I was five years old watching my dad do this is. This is the moment I was waiting for, and now, this is it.”
Kris Jenkins is partnering with P&G and Meijer ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. P&G and Meijer are teaming up to provide players with essentials from trusted P&G brands like Bounty to help them be Ready For Anything as they begin their pro careers. During Draft week, the first P&G Draft House presented by Meijer will be on the ground in Detroit to welcome players and equip them with essentials they’ll be able to count on no matter where they find themselves heading after they’re drafted.