According to a report from 247Sports, Michigan football is set to lose defensive analyst Kevin Wilkins to the Jacksonville Jaguars:
The Michigan Wolverines football program is losing a key defensive analyst to the professional ranks. According to a report from 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Kevin Wilkins is expected to join Liam Coen and the Jacksonville Jaguars as their assistant linebackers coach.
The #Jaguars are expected to hire Michigan’s Kevin Wilkins as assistant linebackers coach, a source tells @CBSSports /@247Sports .
Coached Michigan’s outside linebackers this season, including standout Josaiah Stewart. Previously worked in the NFL with the Ravens and Giants.… pic.twitter.com/JKgt4gwQ2E
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 6, 2025
Wilkins, who spent the 2024 season working with Michigan’s outside linebackers, is now making the jump back to the NFL. Before his lone year in Ann Arbor, Wilkins had an extensive background in the league, spending eight years with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants, all under current Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
His NFL journey began in 2015 as a video intern with the Ravens, before being promoted to video operations coordinator in 2017. In 2021, Wilkins transitioned into a defensive assistant role, which he later carried over to the Giants when Martindale took over as defensive coordinator in 2022.
During his stint with the Wolverines, Wilkins played a role in developing Michigan’s edge rushers, including Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore. Stewart, who led the team with 8.5 sacks last season, was arguably considered one of the best at his position in 2024.
The Jaguars, under newly hired head coach Liam Coen, have been reshaping their coaching staff this offseason. Coen, who was previously the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recently brought in former Michigan linebackers coach Anthony Campanile as the team’s defensive coordinator. Wilkins’ addition further solidifies the Jaguars’ defensive staff as they prepare for the 2025 season.
While Wilkins’ departure is a loss for Michigan, it’s a testament to the continued appeal of the Wolverines’ coaching tree at the professional level. With Martindale sticking around to lead the defense and Sherrone Moore’s program maintaining its NFL pipeline, Michigan remains a prime destination for both players and coaches.