Kris Jenkins, 'The Mutant,' brings the energy on Michigan's defense

Michigan Wolverines football junior defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is set to be a first-year starter and potential breakout player in 2022. He’s caught the eye of head coach Jim Harbaugh, who says Jenkins is a candidate to go from unheralded to a star ‘like David Ojabo.’ Senior left guard Trevor Keegan said he’s the U-M defensive lineman he least likes going up against.

The 6-3, 285-pounder came to Michigan in 2020 at 265 pounds, has bulked up and is now a force on the interior of the defensive line. He’s still got the speed he had back then, but now the strength is there. It’s no wonder Keegan and others hate lining up against him — and it’s also why head strength coach Ben Herbert gave him the nickname, ‘Mutant.’

“That came from about a year ago going into fall camp last year,” Jenkins said of his unique nickname. “Coach Herb was talking about each player individually, how each player did in weight season, and he just gave me the nickname ‘The Mutant.’ It just stuck since then, and it’s been keeping up.

“They say it’s because for my size you wouldn’t think I’m strong or I can move as fast as I can or be as strong as I am. That’s kinda the meaning behind it. I really like it because it pressures me to live up to that expectation.”

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According to Oxford Languages, synonyms to mutant include “freak” and “freak of nature.” Jenkins hasn’t proven to be that on the game field just yet, but that might just be one of the reasons why he’s so excited this week with Michigan slated to kick off the 2022 campaign against Colorado State Saturday.

“It’s probably as happy as I’ve been in a minute,” Jenkins said. “It’s game week, so can’t be happier than that. Time to go.”

Jenkins, who made 22 tackles in 2022, is full of energy — “like a kid in a candy store,” Harbaugh says — and he’s often called upon to make sure his teammates bring the enthusiasm in practice.

This year, I’m trying to bring a lot more juice, a lot more energy. Last year, we had a lot more juice across the board, and everybody helped us thrive, especially in tight game situations. So just trying to bring that energy and have a lot of fun with the team.

“Sometimes, the coaches will try to amp me forward to try to amp everybody up,” Jenkins explained. “Usually, nine times out of 10 it happens, and we find a groove, we get lit. Whether it’s going the Wolf of Wall Street chant on the sidelines or another song, it’s really fun with that energy. We thrive off it.”

The Michigan defensive line is tasked with replacing All-American edge rushers Aidan Hutchinson and Ojabo, who combined for 25 sacks, a program record, last season. The Wolverines aren’t looking for any one man to become one of those two, it’ll be a team effort to replace the production. Harbaugh has described the unit as a “no-star defense,” and Jenkins is on board with that philosophy.

“I think that this defense is going to come all balls flying across the board,” Jenkins said. “You’re going to see a lot of guys thriving across the board, and as a defense together. I think we play our best game together as a unit, so when somebody eats, everybody eats. It’s not really one person running the show, per se, it’s everybody thriving together and having that team chemistry together.

“You’re not going to be able to replace [Hutchinson and Ojabo]. They did their thing, they were amazing players, they definitely brought their own talent and leadership to the team. And we’re not going to be able to replace that, but we have new guys across the board that are going to be able to bring their top-tier talent and bring their leadership to the team.

“We’ve got a lot of good players that are stepping up to the plate.”

Michigan football notes: Eyabi Anoma, Mason Graham, offensive line, more

• Michigan added former Alabama, Houston and UT Martin EDGE Eyabi Anoma Aug. 18, just 17 days before the team’s season opener. While it’s taking some time to get up to speed, Jenkins insists Anoma’s transition has gone smoothly.

“Honestly, the only thing rust wise is getting used to the plays and then chemistry,” Jenkins said. “Besides that, he’s been a great player; he has a lot of talent. He was a great addition to the D-line room as a whole. He’s been really focused, really trying to adapt well. So, I think as he continues to play, as anyone would continue to play, that aspect gets better. He’s a really good player, so it’s not going to take long at all.”

• Jenkins entered fall camp at the top of the Michigan depth chart at the defensive tackle position. But because of the emergence of freshman Mason Graham, who’s now the starter at that position, Jenkins has been moved back to end. While Jenkins will move around on the defensive line, Graham and others stepping up has been a bright spot this preaseason.

“Mason has really been thriving this camp,” Jenkins said. “His entire aspect of his game, he’s really picked it up unbelievably fast. You’re definitely going to see a lot of him on the field, he’s definitely become the guy. It’s given us a lot more depth across the board, especially with more of our boys in the D-line.”

• The Michigan offensive line continues to say it can be better than last season, when it won the Joe Moore Award for the nation’s best and toughest group up front. Graduate center Olusegun Oluwatimi, who transferred in from Virginia, is a big reason why it can be improved.

“This offensive line is definitely going to be a beast again this year,” Jenkins proclaimed. “Olu has added to that, he’s filling in the big shoes of Andrew Vastardis when he left. He’s continuing that energy and bringing his leadership and skills to the offensive line. I think this offensive line is going to surprise y’all, for real.”