Hub Arkush: New kids impress at Bears minicamp; Teven Jenkins put on a show to warm our hearts

LAKE FOREST – Friday was all rookies and young hopefuls on hand at Halas Hall as the Bears began their rookie minicamp.

Normally in addition to this year’s seven draft picks, the 15 undrafted rookie free agents the Bears signed immediately following the draft – 15 isn’t etched in stone but is a fairly typical number – and six first-year players from last season’s practice squad, they would have invited another 20-to-30 street vets and still unsigned rookies to come and try out.

To limit over-crowding and assure appropriate distancing, however, this year the NFL limited each team to just five tryout players.

So instead of the 48-to-60 players you might expect – more than enough to run a solid NFL practice – there were just 33 players on the field, and they couldn’t even run 11-on-11 offense vs. defense team work without a coach or two jumping into the secondary.

All I can really report is Justin Fields looked completely comfortable and was obviously in charge of the offense. He’s bigger – as in thicker than you think – when you see him in person. There is definitely an aura about him that says, ‘I’m the guy to watch.’ And Khalil Herbert and Dazz Newsome were the next two most impressive athletes on the field.

Except for Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom.

We knew they were big but seeing them on the field in their element around other guys “their size” gives a much better perspective.

And it’s not sloppy big. No bellies hanging out.

Borom in particular has clearly worked hard on his body since his last game at Missouri and was impressively light on his feet.

But Jenkins is the kid I want to talk about because Chicago is going to love him.

Sure, he just turned 23 a couple months ago but even beyond that there is a boyish wonderment and charm about this kid that makes him impossible to resist.

We’re not going to have any clue how good a left tackle he can be until at least after the first exhibition game – the next time he actually plays football.

But he looks the part, he talks the part and he really makes you feel like he’s far more excited to be a Chicago Bear than any newbie we’ve met in a long time.

The realization he’s now a NFL player is just setting in.

“It definitely set in for me when I got on that plane ride,” Jenkins said. “I’d never been to Chicago, Illinois, ever. As soon as I landed I felt like a tourist because I was looking side to side, looking out all the windows like ‘ooh, aah,’ trying to sightsee when I was in the plane.

“It hit me hard because it’s my dream, and I’m just happy to be here.”

What is Jenkins most looking forward to outside of football about his new home?

“In person, I don’t think I’ve ever seen... do you guys have a skyscraper,” Jenkins asked. “I’ve never seen a skyscraper in person. I definitely want to check it out.

“I’m definitely excited for pizza, because I’m a big guy and I want to eat some more. Just getting to know more people around this area, make more friendships, that’s something I’m looking forward to.”

Offensive line coach Juan Castillo shared a fun story about how Jenkins was slated to start at left tackle last season at Oklahoma State, but when the right tackle went down with an injury, Jenkins asked the sub if he was more comfortable at left or right. He said left, so Jenkins said ‘Fine, I’ll go right.’

Then Jenkins gave us some additional color.

“It wasn’t like if he played left tackle, I’ll date your sister, but I am still dating his sister, yes,” Jenkins said. “I’m still happy, very happy to be with her still. Her name’s Sydney Springfield if you want to look her up or something, I’m pretty sure you guys might, I don’t know.

“I know it’s live, so she might be hearing this, so, Hi, babe if she hears me. I want to say hi … But yeah, that’s … I’m just happy to be with her.

“And there was no deal at all when it came to that, I can tell you that.”

You tell me how we’re not going to love this kid?