Despite having the option to declare for the NFL draft in the spring of last year, Kris Jenkins, an All-Big Ten selection in 2022, decided to return to Michigan for the 2023 season, as did many of his teammates.
Prior to the season, Jenkins was predicted to be an All-American. He got out to a strong start, earning 14 tackles in the first five games and a sack in the first three. However, since viewing the game on TV, players like Rayshaun Benny, Mason Graham, and Kenneth Grant have received more attention than Jenkins, whose output has since suffered a touch.
Mike Elston, the defensive line coach, said on Wednesday that Jenkins has been dealing with a bothersome issue. Jenkins has been battling with a high ankle sprain since Week 6 against Minnesota, but he has persevered despite it.
“What you don’t realize about Kris is, I can’t remember which game it was, maybe the Minnesota game when Mason [Graham] came back, he suffered a high ankle sprain,” stated Elston. “He has been tackling that head-on. He’s been fighting through it, but he hasn’t been moving as well.”
“He’s a warrior,” stated Elston. “Hasn’t missed a day, hasn’t missed a practice, hasn’t missed anything. He’s battled through that. His production is down a little bit but he’s an incredible leader and he goes out there and he executes. I think that his best games are out in front of him right now.
As we were grading the film yesterday from practice, I typed in one of the practice notes, ‘He’s back.’ He had such a great play. You’ll see a healthier Kris moving forward and I believe the production will be there as it has been in the past.”
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