Name: Kris Jenkins, Jr.
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 265 lbs.
High school: Olney (MD) Our Lady of Good Counsel
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: Redshirt freshman
Jersey number: #94
Last year: I ranked Jenkins #101 and said he would redshirt (LINK). He played in one game.
TTB Rating: 77
Jenkins is the son of former Central Michigan and NFL defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, so the bloodline is there. Brought in to be bulked up into an interior defensive lineman, he was not ready last season. That didn't stop him from getting thrown in there against Wisconsin when the Badgers were running all over the starters, the backups, the ushers, and the concession stand workers. But that was Jenkins's only appearance of the season.
This year I don't expect Jenkins to play much more than last year. For one thing, he's still too light at 265 lbs. to play inside. For another thing, the coaching staff's switch to more of a 3-4 look should prioritize size with the linemen, which might require Jenkins to spend a prolonged period eating and lifting before he sees the field. And those things don't take into the equation that the Wolverines brought in 358-pound transfer nose tackle in Jordan Whittley to take at least some of the snaps inside. This should be another developmental year for Jenkins.
Prediction: Backup defensive tackle
Hahaha
ReplyDelete"That didn't stop him from getting thrown in there against Wisconsin when the Badgers were running all over the starters, the backups, the ushers, and the concession stand workers"
If he's too small to play inside, does he have the athleticism to move outside, or to a linebacker role? Or is his destiny either bulk up and try to play interior defensive line, or not fit anywhere else?
ReplyDeleteFinal question -- if he were to transfer, what kind of school (what level, etc.) would be be able to start interior DL and make an impact? MAC, or down to DII?
Transfers are a good thing. Sooner or later, we'll make up for the losses with new recruits ... you'll see, someday!
DeleteAre you interpreting my question as a suggestion he should transfer? That wasn't the intent. The intent of the question was to find out where his present size+abilities would fit on the spectrum of football programs.
DeleteHere's clearly a good football player, otherwise he wouldn't be on the Michigan team. The trouble is -- as stated by Thunder -- he's too small for the interior defensive line. Given all the football programs out there, from the pinnacle (Alabama) down through to the smallest DIII school, there's a spot where almost any player could find a place where they could start, based on their natural abilities. I'm simply wondering where that might be for this young man.
I'm also aware that some really good talent exists in those lower programs. I've scanned the NFL rosters and looked the schools, and a surprising number of NFL players come from these "lower" schools. I've long wondered if that's because those players learned the value of persistence and hard work, where the naturally gifted Alabama-bound athlete might flame out due to attitude.
It could also be because they developed later, and their potential wasn't seen when they were 16 to 18 years old, when the recruiting stuff takes place. They accept a scholarship to a DIII school, and fill out / grow up / develop into a great football player.
DeleteHe does not have the athleticism to play linebacker. Right now he's probably restricted to playing a 4i or 5-tech spot. I think his best bet is to bulk up to 280-290 pounds and play 4i (in a 3-4) or a 3-tech (in a 4-3).
DeleteIf he were going to play interior DL at his current listed weight, he would probably have to transfer down to the FCS level somewhere, although even at the FCS level, there are still a lot of 300-pounders.
Sounds like a future de.
ReplyDelete-lank