Kris Jenkins hoping to follow in father's footsteps as NFL Draft approaches

Growing up, Kris Jenkins saw what NFL success looked like.

His father, Kris Jenkins Sr., was an All-Pro with the Carolina Panthers and made four Pro Bowls with the Panthers and New York Jets. During his nine years in the league, he totaled 279 tackles and 24 sacks before announcing his retirement in 2010 following a bout with injuries late in his career.

Next week, he hopes to hear his son’s name called in the 2024 NFL Draft – just outside his hometown of Ypsilanti. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. recently projected Kris Jenkins Jr. to be a second-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars in his latest mock draft as he continues to trend as a Day 2 selection.

With his dad in his corner, Jenkins will look to continue to build off his decorated career at Michigan.

“This is when I was five years old watching my dad do this is,” Jenkins told On3 Thursday via Zoom. “This is the moment I was waiting for. And now, this is it.”

After redshirting as a freshman in 2020, Jenkins served as a key part of the Michigan defense and got better each year. His biggest season came in 2022, though, when he totaled 54 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. A year later, he helped the Wolverines to a national title and earned second team All-American honors as he recorded 37 tackles to go with 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

As the accolades rolled in, capped by a national championship this past season, Jenkins’ father was right there making sure he didn’t get too high or too low. That will continue into the NFL, as well, where Jenkins Sr. and his brother, Cullen, both starred.

“He’s really been a huge impact mentally,” Jenkins said. “Keeping myself grounded, keeping myself humble, but also, reminding myself that I have that dog in me. That I have the Jenkins genes in me to wreak havoc if I want to. And really, just keeping me cool-headed, level-headed, but just embracing the best parts of me. And that’s definitely all love and respect to my dad because he knows what it takes to get there, and he has that knowledge.

“Same with my uncle. They have that knowledge and they’re trying to instill that in me to not only make the most of my opportunity, but to go places that they haven’t gone and do better than they have done even though at the end of the day, it’s competition and we’re still gonna talk trash like we always do. But it goes to show that much love that they have for me. I’m blessed.”

Kris Jenkins: Dad is always ‘keeping me updated on my play’

When Jenkins was starring at Michigan en route to a national title, his dad was in the stands keeping a close eye on his performance. He wasn’t just watching. He was keeping a close eye on what Jenkins Jr. was doing well and where he needed to improve.

Then, he let his son know. When those texts came in, Jenkins Jr. took it to heart and used them to get better.

“Oh, he’s constantly on the phone texting me, keeping me updated on my play,” Jenkins said. “He’s real. … He doesn’t beat around the bush. If I’m doing well in the game, he’s hyping me up telling me to keep doing what I’m doing. If I got things I need to work on, he’s making sure I know.

“So come halftime, coming out of halftime or at the end of the game, those are the types of things I keep in mind going to the next game and whatever’s next and whatever’s ahead.”

On draft night, Jenkins Jr. will watch from his uncle’s house with the draft taking place just down the road. Like fans and draft hopefuls across the country, he’ll be following closely waiting to find out his next home – with his entire family by his side.

“It’s gonna be a big barbecue bash, man,” he said. “It’s gonna be fun.”

Kris Jenkins Jr. 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.