Kris Jenkins shouts out his mom, reveals pre-NFL Combine message from his dad

Kris Jenkins plays for more than himself. Before the Michigan defensive lineman took the field at the NFL Scouting Combine, he talked to his dad on the phone. It was all the motivation he needed. Later in the day, Jenkins revealed his father’s message.

“He just told me to be a dog. That’s the advice he’s always given me,” Jenkins said on the NFL Network. “Be a dog, be myself. He’s been — if you’ve watched my dad, if you’ve watched my uncle, you know they’re legendary defensive tackles, best in the business. So I’m lucky to have them as mentors, as a dad and an uncle for me and just looking forward to making a name for myself, as well.”

Jenkins was a dog at the combine, and he wasn’t all bark, either. The 305-pound All-American dropped jaws with his 4.91-second 40-yard dash and 9’7” broad jump. Nonetheless, Jenkins has a lot more than athleticism going for him.

In the 2023 campaign, Jenkins started all 15 games along the defensive line, tallying 37 tackles with 4.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery and one interception. Jenkins recorded two tackles in Michigan’s victory over Washington in the national championship.

For his efforts, Jenkins was named Second-Team All-American by the AFCA and FWAA while being named third team by the AP, the Athletic, CBS Sports. Jenkins’ father isn’t the only one who was on the Michigan standout’s mind at the combine.

“Shoutout to all the moms,” Jenkins said. “Y’all don’t know how much y’all mean to us, especially kids. Taking us to practice, helping us get in shape, helping us do everything, get our pads. We really appreciate you and y’all have helped us get in to moments like this, so thank you so much. Shoutout to my mom. Hoping to continue to make her proud.”

While Jenkins has his blood family, his familial tree includes countless Wolverines. Kris Jenkins expressed his gratitude for his Michigan brotherhood after his fantastic showing at the NFL Combine.

“It meant everything to us,” Jenkins said. “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.”

On3’s Andrew Graham also contributed to this story.