Cincinnati Bengals draft Michigan’s Kris Jenkins
Kris Jenkins. (University of Michigan photo)
The University of Michigan football program saw six more players chosen during Friday's (April 26) second day of the 2024 NFL Draft as Kris Jenkins (49 overall, Cincinnati Bengals) and Mike Sainristil (50 overall, Washington Commanders) were selected during the second round and Junior Colson (69 overall, Los Angeles Chargers), Blake Corum (83 overall, Los Angeles Rams), Roman Wilson (84 overall, Pittsburgh Steelers) and Zak Zinter (85 overall, Cleveland Browns) were selected during the third round.
This year's draft marks the third year running with at least three U-M players chosen in the top 60 picks overall. It's the fifth time in the last six seasons that at least three or more Wolverines have been among the top-100 selections.
The Bengals made Jenkins the 49th overall selection with their second-round pick. He is the 18th Wolverine drafted by the Bengals and the fifth defensive lineman. Jenkins will join Chris Evans, Dax Hill, Brad Robbins and DJ Turner, as former Wolverines on the Cincinnati roster.
Nicknamed "The Mutant" for his freakish athletic ability, Jenkins was a team captain and second-team All-American on the Wolverines' 2023 National Championship team. He was named the Robert P. Ufer Bequest recipient as the senior who displayed the most enthusiasm and love for Michigan and was named the team's co-defensive player of the year.
Jenkins started all 15 games at defensive tackle in 2023, amassing 37 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one fumble and one interception. An All-Big Ten second-team selection, Jenkins was also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award and was a candidate for three other defensive player of the year awards.
A four-year letterman, Jenkins appeared in 44 games for the Maize and Blue and started 32 of those contests at defensive tackle. He amassed 113 career tackles, including 8.0 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception.
His father (Kris) played 10 years in the NFL, earning All-Pro honors four times after being drafted in the second round.
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