In the Huddle: Purdue defensive standout Kydran Jenkins

His seven sacks are tied for the top spot in the Big Ten, sharing the No. 1 position with Purdue teammate Nic Scourton.

His 12.5 tackles for loss are second in the Big Ten. Is Kydran Jenkins headed for first-team All-Big Ten selection at the end of the season? It will be hard to deny the senior defensive end/outside linebacker the postseason honor.

Although the native of Louisville, Georgia, is listed as a senior, Jenkins has one more year of eligibility. Will he return to the Boilermakers?

“I’ve been thinking about making that decision and coming back,” Jenkins said.

Has football always been your sport?

Yes, it has. I used to like basketball in middle school and high school, I liked basketball more than football, but when I got to high school, I loved football more.

Why the love for football?

I felt like I got better and better, and I think that was best for my future.

What did you like about playing basketball?

I get to score points, and people can actually see my face on the court. It was just fun. I played AAU.

You scored points against Nebraska on the fumble return.

Right.

What type of moment was that like?

It was a big moment. That was my first college touchdown. I was excited. It was a special moment. I put my head down and thanked God.

Do you have a nickname?

KJ

If you weren’t involved in sports, what would you be doing?

That’s a good question. Honestly, I don’t know. I feel like I would be in college, but I don’t know what I would be doing right now or what college I’d be at.

How did you end up at Purdue?

The old staff from my freshman year got me here. I felt like it was a family thing and I talked to my family, and we felt it was the best decision to come up here to Indiana and be a part of this family.

What’s your game day routine?

I go through the pregame meal, but I’m quiet on game day. I just play music all day, and I have my headphones in, thinking about the plays I’m going to make and what I have to do to be successful on the field.

I would say you’re quiet the other days of the week.

Yeah, I am, but I can definitely get talkative sometimes.

What gets you talking?

Just being around my teammates and just having fun and joking around gets me talking. If it’s a serious thing, I’m quiet, and I keep to myself more, or if I’m around people I don’t really know.

Is there a subject that would get you talking?

Yeah. Football.

To be honest, we’ve tried, but you don’t talk a lot. Is there a subject outside of football that gets you talking?

I like to talk about cars. I’m a car person.

The car thing – is it old cars, new cars, souped up cars?

I like most cars. My favorite car is a Challenger. That’s the car I’ve got right now, but I want one faster. I like Mustangs, Challengers, and Camaros.

Do you like to work on cars, or do you like to drive them fast?

I like to drive them fast.

Is there anybody in your family that’s a car collector?

My dad works on cars and stuff like that. I think that carries over to me.

In 20 years, will you still be involved with cars in any aspect?

I want to have my own car collection with old cars and new cars. I want to have all different kinds in my garage.

You can only drive one car at a time.

I know, but to go out to my garage and see different kinds of cars would look nice.

Do you and Devin Mockobee talk about cars?

I asked him what he’s got in his car and all that kind of stuff. But Mockobee actually builds cars, and I don’t know how to do it.

Would you want him to build you a car?

Of course.

What’s the perfect car?

My perfect car is an Impala with a Corvette engine in it. I feel like that’s the perfect care for me. It’s fast, and it’s a good build that I like.

This may align with what you just said, but is there one thing your teammates don’t know about you? Do they know about your love for cars?

I don’t think so, but I really can’t say because some of them are embarrassing.

Like what? 

OK. I can say one thing. When I was younger, I used to like to dance on my own, like breakdancing. I would go into a room and just breakdance and work on dancing, but I couldn’t dance. I gave up on it.

How old were you?

It had to be from 7 to 12, but I wasn’t good at it.

Have those skills helped you at all in football?

Definitely not.

The year you’ve had so far, has it opened your eyes to show what you can do?

Yeah, definitely. This year, there’s been a lot going on, but it did open my eyes to what I can do on the field and the stuff I can do to help this team, and what I can do to produce. I’ve been doing stuff on the field I never thought I could do, like I can throw a tackle off me or hit a quarterback high or hit a quarterback low.

Favorite food?

Mac and cheese. I know it’s a side, but it’s my favorite food.

Is that a meal for you?

No, it’s not a meal. If anybody asks what I want to eat before I pass, I’d say mac and cheese.

What would be the entrée?

I’d say barbeque ribs with mac and cheese. You can’t beat that.

Does your mom make the most glorious mac and cheese of all time?

Yes, she does. Very cheesy.

No bowl game for you guys, but how do you finish this season?

Like coach Walters said, we have to finish this season strong, and it’s going to be the start of next season. I really believe that.