Michigan Football: It Sounds Like Kris Jenkins Is Going To Be A Problem In 2023

Michigan is returning a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball in 2023, but one name routinely comes up as a dominant and disruptive force up front.

Michigan Football is entering the 2023 season with quite possibly the most talented roster that Jim Harbaugh has had since taking over in Ann Arbor back in 2015. On the defensive side of the ball, there is no shortage of talent and experience at every position. 

Although there's no shortage of names to keep in mind as the season draws near, there's one name in particular that seems to stand out whenever you hear about the team talk about the defensive side of the ball: Kris Jenkins. 

Jenkins, a 6-3, 305-pound defensive lineman - and former three-star recruit - has transformed himself into what some analysts believe to be a future first round NFL Draft pick. Although he certainly looks the part from the outside looking in, the guys that are doing battle against him every day in fall camp have certainly taken notice of his talent. 

Veteran offensive lineman Zak Zinter has been tasked with trying to keep Jenkins out of the backfield during fall camp, and he claims it's the toughest test he'll likely face all year. 

"I don't think I'm going to get a better pass rusher on the interior all year than Kris Jenkins - and I get to go against him all camp and throughout the season", Zinter said. 

"The first few days getting our pads back on, he's one of those dudes where its like, 'I've got to lock into my set here, because Kris is going to make a move.'

"It's a battle in there. He's got the bull (rush), he's got the speed, the power, he's got the twitchiness, so it's been tough blocking Kris this camp."

Junior quarterback JJ McCarthy has also noticed an improvement with the interior guys up front, specifically Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Jenkins.

"The interior guys, those three up front - Mason, KG, and Kris - they're going to be not fun for my fellow quarterback friends, that's for sure."