Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Kris Jenkins Jr. is an American professional football player who plays defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. Born on October 10, 2001, his full name is Kristopher Rudy Charles Jenkins. He grew up in Olney, Maryland, and played college football at the University of Michigan before entering the NFL in 2024.
Beyond his professional football career, Jenkins comes from a family with a remarkable history in American football. His father, Kris Jenkins Sr., was a four-time NFL Pro Bowl defensive tackle, while his mother, Shay DeLotch, has been one of his strongest supporters. His uncle, Cullen Jenkins, also enjoyed a successful NFL career and won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.
Although Jenkins has spoken openly about his parents and other relatives, he maintains considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships, children and siblings.
Kris Jenkins Jr.’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Kris Jenkins Jr. has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or announced that he is currently in a romantic relationship.
The Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle has generally kept his personal relationships out of extensive media coverage, focusing his public appearances and interviews on football, his family background and his professional development.
During his college career at Michigan, Jenkins occasionally discussed the influence of his parents and the importance of his teammates, but he did not provide widely documented information about a romantic partner.
Similarly, his interviews following his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft have primarily focused on his transition to professional football and the guidance he receives from his father and uncle.
There is also no sufficiently verified public information establishing that Jenkins is engaged or married.
Therefore, his current relationship status remains private, and any claims identifying a girlfriend should be treated cautiously unless supported by reliable evidence.
Does Kris Jenkins Jr. Have Children?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that Kris Jenkins Jr. has children.
Neither his official Cincinnati Bengals biography nor his University of Michigan athletics profile identifies him as a father.
Although Jenkins has frequently spoken about the importance of family, he has not made a widely documented public announcement concerning the birth of a son or daughter.
Consequently, it would be inaccurate to claim that he has children without additional confirmation.
Kris Jenkins Jr.’s Parents
Kris Jenkins Jr.’s Father: Kris Jenkins Sr.
Kris Jenkins Jr.’s father is Kristopher Rudy Charles Jenkins Sr., a former American professional football player who spent ten seasons in the NFL.
Born on August 3, 1979, Jenkins Sr. played college football at the University of Maryland before being selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 44th overall pick in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
He quickly established himself as one of the league’s most physically imposing defensive tackles.
During his career, Jenkins Sr. earned four Pro Bowl selections and was named a first-team Associated Press All-Pro in 2002 and 2003.
He played for the Carolina Panthers from 2001 through 2007 before joining the New York Jets, where he spent the final three seasons of his professional career.
Despite suffering significant injuries during his career, he remained one of the most recognizable defensive linemen of his generation.
His football achievements provided an important example for his son, who developed an interest in the NFL during childhood.
In a June 2024 interview published by the Cincinnati Bengals, Jenkins Jr. recalled accompanying his father to NFL practices and games when he was young.
One particularly memorable family photograph showed a young Kris wearing his father’s oversized Carolina Panthers helmet and practice jersey during training camp in 2004.
Those experiences gave Jenkins Jr. an early understanding of the demands and expectations associated with professional football.
His father also provided valuable guidance throughout his development at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School and the University of Michigan.
During the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Jenkins Jr. explained that his father encouraged him to remain confident, embrace his physical abilities and develop his own playing identity.
Although the younger Jenkins plays the same position as his father, he has emphasized that he wants to establish his own reputation rather than simply follow his father’s achievements.
In September 2025, Jenkins Jr. again praised his father’s guidance during an interview with the Bengals, explaining that he continued to seek advice from him about football and personal development.
Kris Jenkins Jr.’s Mother: Shay DeLotch
Kris Jenkins Jr.’s mother is Shay DeLotch, whose name is confirmed in his official University of Michigan football biography.
Although she has maintained a relatively private life, DeLotch has been an important source of emotional support throughout her son’s athletic career.
Her relationship with Jenkins attracted national attention during the 2023 college football season, particularly following Michigan’s victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2024.
After the Wolverines secured their place in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, DeLotch joined her son on the field for an emotional celebration.
She expressed pride in the dedication and sacrifices he had made to reach that stage of his career.
The touching interaction was widely shared by sports media outlets and highlighted the strong relationship between mother and son.
Jenkins has explained that although his mother was not initially a major football enthusiast, she consistently supported his ambitions and attended important moments throughout his career.
During the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, he publicly thanked mothers for the sacrifices they make while helping their children participate in sports.
He specifically acknowledged his own mother’s role in driving him to practices, helping him prepare for games and encouraging him throughout his childhood.
While his father helped shape his understanding of defensive line play, his mother’s encouragement provided another important foundation for his personal and athletic development.
As of now, reliable public reporting provides limited additional information about Shay DeLotch’s occupation and private life.
Kris Jenkins Jr.’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
As of now, there is no sufficiently verified public information identifying Kris Jenkins Jr.’s brothers or sisters.
His official University of Michigan biography identifies his parents, Kris Jenkins Sr. and Shay DeLotch, but does not provide details about siblings.
Similarly, Cincinnati Bengals reports examining his family background primarily discuss his father and uncle rather than any brothers or sisters.
This does not necessarily mean Jenkins is an only child. It means that reliable publicly available sources do not establish the identities or number of any siblings.
Although details about possible siblings remain limited, Jenkins has a well-documented relationship with his uncle, Cullen Jenkins, who has played an influential role in his football development.
Kris Jenkins Jr.’s Uncle: Cullen Jenkins
Cullen Jenkins is Kris Jenkins Jr.’s paternal uncle and the younger brother of former NFL defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Sr.
Like his older brother, Cullen pursued a professional football career as a defensive lineman.
He attended Central Michigan University before joining the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
Cullen subsequently developed into an important defensive player for Green Bay and helped the Packers win Super Bowl XLV following the 2010 NFL season.
Throughout his career, he also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Washington Redskins.
He appeared in 184 regular-season NFL games over 13 seasons.
For Kris Jenkins Jr., having both a father and an uncle with extensive NFL experience provided an unusual advantage during his development.
In a June 2024 Cincinnati Bengals interview, Jenkins explained that his playing style shared certain similarities with Cullen’s approach to defensive line play.
While his father relied heavily on extraordinary size and power, his uncle emphasized quickness, technique and positioning.
Jenkins Jr. has incorporated elements of both approaches into his own development.
During the 2025 offseason, he worked directly with Cullen to improve his lateral movement, flexibility, hand placement and ability to recognize opposing offensive formations.
In a September 2025 interview, Jenkins Jr. credited his uncle with helping him better understand the mental side of professional football.
His relationship with Cullen demonstrates how the family’s extensive football experience continues to influence his career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Kris Jenkins Jr.’s Family Background and Upbringing
Kris Jenkins Jr. grew up in Olney, Maryland, surrounded by the influence of professional football.
His father’s successful NFL career exposed him to professional training environments, stadiums and experienced athletes from a young age.
One of his early football memories involved watching his father and uncle compete against each other when the Carolina Panthers faced the Green Bay Packers.
These childhood experiences helped inspire his ambition to become a professional football player.
Jenkins later attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Maryland, where he developed into a highly regarded defensive line prospect.
During his senior season in 2019, he recorded 40 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.
His achievements earned him recognition as the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
He subsequently committed to the University of Michigan, where he played college football from 2020 through 2023.
At Michigan, Jenkins developed into a dependable defensive lineman and earned the nickname “The Mutant” because of his physical development and commitment to strength training.
During his senior season, he served as a team captain and helped the Wolverines win the national championship for the 2023 season.
His performances earned him second-team All-American recognition and established him as a promising NFL Draft prospect.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Jenkins with the 49th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
His selection continued the family’s professional football legacy, following the successful careers of his father and uncle.
Throughout his development, Jenkins has emphasized the importance of maintaining his own identity while benefiting from the experience and support of his relatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kris Jenkins Jr.’s Family
Who is Kris Jenkins Jr.’s girlfriend?
As of now, Kris Jenkins Jr. has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend. His current relationship status remains private.
Is Kris Jenkins Jr. married?
There is no verified public information establishing that the Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle is married.
Does Kris Jenkins Jr. have children?
There is no sufficiently verified public information confirming that Kris Jenkins Jr. has children.
Who is Kris Jenkins Jr.’s father?
His father is Kris Jenkins Sr., a former NFL defensive tackle who played for the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets and earned four Pro Bowl selections.
Who is Kris Jenkins Jr.’s mother?
His mother is Shay DeLotch, who publicly supported him throughout his college football career at Michigan.
Does Kris Jenkins Jr. have siblings?
Reliable public reporting has not established the identities or number of any brothers or sisters.
Who is Kris Jenkins Jr.’s uncle?
His uncle is Cullen Jenkins, a former NFL defensive lineman who won Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers.
Is Cullen Jenkins related to Kris Jenkins Jr.?
Yes. Cullen Jenkins is his paternal uncle and the younger brother of Kris Jenkins Sr.
Where is Kris Jenkins Jr.’s family from?
Kris Jenkins Jr. grew up in Olney, Maryland, and attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School.
What is Kris Jenkins Jr.’s real name?
His full name is Kristopher Rudy Charles Jenkins. He was born on October 10, 2001.
Did Kris Jenkins Jr.’s father play in the NFL?
Yes. Kris Jenkins Sr. played ten NFL seasons between 2001 and 2010, representing the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
