Michigan football: Teammate fuels Kris Jenkins, Derrick Moore hype train
Michigan football projects to have one of the best defensive lines in the country again next season which will mostly be contingent on growth from within. Senior EDGE defender Jaylen Harrell will be counted on as part of a group that prides itself in shutting down the run and getting to the quarterback on passing downs.
Harrell is a three-down defender that could easily take a step forward, but his classmate Kris Jenkins might wind up being the straw that stirs the drink. With a leadership void to fill on the roster, Jenkins is sliding into that role for Michigan and has put on good weight in hopes to be more disruptive. Last year, the All-Big Ten selection recorded 54 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks in 14 games in 2022 at defensive tackle.
“He is up to 300-plus pounds now,” Harrell told the media on Thursday afternoon. “I mean, he looks even more powerful and more explosive. He keeps getting better each and every day. He’s a dog for sure.
“Kris brings a different mojo to the building. Very upbeat, excited, goofy. He’s being more of a leader this year and stepping up.
Jenkins’ role will see him holding down the fort on the interior of Michigan’s defensive line. Harrell and others will combine to form a pass-rush rotation that has a to-be-determined ceiling. One of the rising youngsters is sophomore Derrick Moore, who was a role player in 2022 that should be ready for a breakout himself.
“He came in already physically built like that [at 6-foot-3, 279 pounds],” Harrell said. “He’s getting better each and every day. Derrick is gonna be a real problem.”
Moore played in all 14 games in 2022 as a true freshman, recording 8 total tackles and a pair of sacks.
Michigan returns stars to roster for unfinished business
This offseason was defined by several veteran players making the choice to make one last push in a Michigan uniform. Running back Blake Corum, guards Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter and Jenkins were among those that could have easily had NFL futures.
Harrell says their return speaks to what has been built in Ann Arbor.
“It just shows the culture and what we have here,” Harrell said. “They see something special and know we have got more to do and more to prove.”
Something to prove is that Michigan can not only get back to the College Football Playoff but also win a game and set itself up for the national title. The loss to TCU in the Fiesta Bowl provided another reminder that nothing will be handed to them.
“There are definitely lessons to be learned, especially on the defensive side of the ball,” Harrell said. “You know, we obviously didn’t execute like we needed to win. We gotta go back and look ourselves in the mirror and come together as a group.
“We can’t let that happen again. And we just gotta be more focused and hone on the details. The little things that come big, especially in big-time games like that.”
Harrell finished the 2022 season with 30 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. He was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the media.
