Kris Jenkins Jr. shares how much Jim Harbaugh, Michigan teammates at 2024 NFL Combine mean to him

Kris Jenkins Jr. has all the admiration in the world for his former Michigan teammates and head coach Jim Harbaugh. And after his workout at the 2024 NFL Combine on Thursday, Jenkins got the chance to gush about them.

The Wolverines won the 2023 national championship and three-straight Big Ten crowns during Jenkins’ career, and sent a record 18 players to the combine this year. Jenkins was plenty proud to be the ambassador for the group.

“It meant everything to us,” Jenkins said on NFL Network. “Michigan became my family. That was the culture that he set up, that all the coaches set up for us. We embrace that. We became a family. It wasn’t just a team, it was a family, it was a unit. So we played for each other, we played for the block M, we played for the alumni. It’s all thanks to coach, really giving us that mindset and allowing us to do what we do best.”

Harbaugh is also at the combine, now as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. And though he’s now scouting his former players — to whatever extent he can learn more them — the head coach was sure to hype them up ahead of time.

And like Harbaugh, Jenkins is excited to see what his former teammates can do in their respective workouts.

“It’s amazing. They absolutely deserve it,” Jenkins said. “We had 18 players coming out here, getting ready to show off their skills, show off their talent. So I’m excited for them to do their thing. And they’re about to tear it up, they’re about to do great things. So can’t wait.”

One of Jenkins’ teammates got high praise from a draft analyst

J.J. McCarthy earned some high praise from ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. on Wednesday. Kiper projected the former Michigan quarterback to go No. 12 overall to the Denver Broncos in his latest mock draft, comparing him to a current superstar in the league.

Speaking on SportsCenter, the ESPN analyst said McCarthy has a “Josh Allen mentality” when addressing his competitiveness and desire to win. That’s certainly a high compliment as Allen, the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, has been one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL over the past few seasons.

“He’s getting better and better,” Kiper said of McCarthy. “They didn’t ask him to carry the team. He didn’t have anything to do with that. When they asked him to make plays, he did. He did it very effectively. He’s a great kid, super competitive young man. He’s got that Josh Allen mentality.

“At this spot, JJ McCarthy’s got a little risk there because we haven’t seen him be able to put the team on his shoulder. I get that. But the talent’s there, the work ethic’s there, the passion for the game is there. It’s up to coach (Sean) Payton to get the most out of this kid.”