Michigan's Kris Jenkins named top 10 returning interior defensive lineman in 2023
Michigan Wolverines football senior defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was named one of the top returning interior defensive linemen in the country in a ranking from Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Jenkins checked in No. 4, behind only Illinois‘ Jer’Zhan Newton, Cincinnati‘s Dontay Corleone and LSU‘s Mekhi Wingo. Newton and Jenkins are the only two Big Ten players to make the cut.
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The 6-3, 285-pounder was one of Michigan’s breakout stars of the 2022 season, playing for a defense that ranked seventh nationally in points allowed per game (16.1) and sixth in total defense (292.1 yards given up per contest). He was fifth on the team with 54 tackles, adding 3.5 stops for loss, 2 sacks and 2 quarterback hurries. He also registered 20 pressures, tying for fifth on the unit.
“Jenkins is a dominant run-stuffer in the middle of Michigan’s defensive line,” PFF’s Max Chadwick wrote.
“The junior’s 31 run-defense stops were tied for the most in the nation among interior defensive linemen, and his positively-graded run-defense rate was third among Power Five interior defensive linemen.”
Appearing on the In The Trenches podcast last week, the Michigan defensive lineman revealed that, after just a month and a half of the Wolverines’ winter conditioning cycle, he’s already up to 300 pounds. He’s become more of a leader, too, since deciding to return for his senior season. Jenkins received some favorable feedback from the NFL but ultimately chose to get his degree and play another year at Michigan.
Jenkins and Michigan’s defensive front are intent on improving its pass-rush production from a year ago. The Maize and Blue slotted 33rd nationally with 2.6 sacks per game in 2022.
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“Honestly, my biggest thing that I’ve kind of been obsessing over, over this offseason and really toward the end of the season, is my pass rush,” Jenkins said. “Coming off of last season, I’ve been identified as — and us as a team, our identity was a huge run-stopping force, really affecting the run, having that identity where teams can’t run on us, but not really having that identity where people fear my pass rush. People didn’t really look at me as a pass-rush threat. People weren’t really scared where I lined up, how I was going to affect the QB.
“I’m working with [Michigan defensive line] Coach [Mike] Elston, even getting the knowledge from my uncle [former NFL defensive end Cullen Jenkins] and my dad [former NFL All-Pro defensive tackle Kris], taking that more seriously. I just really want to get after the quarterback, really affect the pass game.
“With the whole D-line, talking to [sophomore] Mason [Graham], talking to K.G [sophomore Kenneth Grant]., Rayshaun Benny, even Cam Goode, everybody’s obsessing over us being the leading sack defense in the country.”
Michigan’s defensive line lost two starters — nose guard Mazi Smith and EDGE Mike Morris — but is still optimistic it can improve. The Wolverines had to replace three defensive line starters last year but were able to put up better numbers overall, it’s worth noting.
Michigan begins spring practices Feb. 20 and will conclude with an April 1 spring game. The Wolverines kick off the 2023 season with a home game against East Carolina Sept. 2.
