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Michigan DT Kris Jenkins impresses at NFL Combine: How Wolverines performed on Day 1

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•03/01/24•

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Kris Jenkins
(Photo by Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was the only Michigan Wolverines football prospect to be a full participant at the NFL Combine Thursday, and he impressed in front of NFL teams. EDGEs Braiden McGregor and Jaylen Harrell and linebackers Michael Barrett and Junior Colson opted not to go through drills.

Jenkins posted a 4.91-second official time in the 40-yard dash, ranking fifth among defensive tackles. His 1.70-second 10-yard split checked in sixth among the same group.

“He is a physical freak,” analyst Daniel Jeremiah said on the NFL Network broadcast. “When your nickname is ‘The Mutant,’ that means you’re pretty darn athletic. And at his size, you’re going to see him move really, really well.”

Jenkins ran a 5.02 on his first attempt but bettered it to 4.91 on the second.

Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, was in attendance and timed Jenkins with his stopwatch. Former U-M defensive line coach Mike Elston, also now with the Chargers, helped lead some of Jenkins’ drills, meanwhile.

The Michigan defensive tackle then continued to impress during drills. After the ‘ring drill,’ New Orleans defensive end Cam Jordan, appearing on the broadcast, raved about what he saw, calling it “picture perfect.”

According to Math Bomb, Jenkins’ relative athletic score (RAS) of 9.55 ranked 74th out of 1,620 defensive tackles from 1987 to 2024.

Jenkins registered a 30.00″ vertical leap (11th of 21 defensive tackles) and a 9’7″ broad jump (fourth of 20 defensive tackles). His 4.78-second 20-yard shuttle checked in seventh of 11 defensive tackles.

The Michigan lineman discussed his experience with NFL Network.

“It feels amazing,” Jenkins said. “The second we got here, this is something you dream for as a kid, so now that you’re actually here living in this moment, it’s amazing.

“I felt great, especially after my second rep running today. I felt like I did some good stuff. I wouldn’t say I had a perfect day, but it was amazing getting to show my skills, show my stuff and work with amazing athletes today.”

Here were Jenkins’ measurements:

PlayerHeightWeightArm LengthHand Size
Kris Jenkins6’ 3’’299 lbs34’’9 3/8’’

EDGE Jaylen Harrell

Harrell’s 37.00″ vertical jump stood out, slotting fifth among 25 defensive ends. His 9’10” broad jump was 16th of 23 players at his position. Harrell chose not to run the 40-yard dash, but he did go through drills.

“You can say this about all these Michigan guys: He plays with tremendous effort,” Jeremiah said as he went through one drill.

PlayerHeightWeightArm LengthHand Size
Jaylen Harrell6’ 4’’250 lbs33 1/4’’9 3/4’’

EDGE Braiden McGregor

McGregor didn’t test or work out at the combine.

PlayerHeightWeightArm LengthHand Size
Braiden McGregor6’ 5’’257 lbs33 1/8’’10’’

LB Junior Colson

According to NFL Network, Colson sat out with a hamstring injury but is looking forward to working out at Michigan’s March 22 pro day. He didn’t participate in any testing or drills, but Jeremiah did discuss him.

“You talk about a big linebacker, who played last year with the broken hand — shows you the toughness,” the NFL Network analyst said. “You couldn’t keep him off the field. The comparison when I watched him was [former Michigan linebacker] David Harris. Leadership, toughness, excellent, excellent player with the Jets.

“To me, this is a top-50 pick every day of the week and twice on Sunday. I think whoever gets him is going to get somebody they can plug into the middle of their defense and let him roll.”

PlayerHeightWeightArm LengthHand Size
Junior Colson6’ 2’’238 lbs32 1/2’’9 3/8’’

LB Michael Barrett

Michigan’s other linebacker didn’t participate in drills or testing, either.

PlayerHeightWeightArm LengthHand Size
Michael Barrett5’ 11’’233 lbs32 1/8’’8 1/2’’

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