Kyle Kennard
| South Carolina Gamecocks – No. 5 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Defensive end |
| Class | Fifth year |
| Major | Services Management |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | December 12, 2001 |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 254 lb (115 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
|
| High school | Riverwood (Sandy Springs, Georgia) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Kyle Kennard (born December 12, 2001) is an American college football defensive end for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He previously played for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Early life
[edit]Kennard grew up in Atlanta and attended Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs, Georgia.[1] Coming out of high school, he was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.[2]
College career
[edit]Georgia Tech
[edit]In his first two seasons in 2020 and 2021, Kennard recorded 25 tackles with six being for a loss and four and a half sacks.[3][4] During the 2022 season, Kennard played in twelve games for the Yellow Jackets while making nine starts, where he totaled 36 tackles with four and a half being for a loss, and two sacks.[5] In week two of the 2023 season, Kennard was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) defensive lineman of the week after notching five tackles with half of one being for a loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception, in a win over the South Carolina State Bulldogs.[6] In week four, he would once again be named the ACC defensive lineman of the week after recording four sacks and a forced fumble versus Wake Forest.[7] Kennard finished the 2023 season tallying 54 tackles with 11 being for a loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception.[8] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Kennard entered the NCAA transfer portal.[9]
South Carolina
[edit]Kennard transferred to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.[1] In his first game as a Gamecock in week one of the 2024 season, he notched five tackles, two and a half sacks, and two forced fumbles, as he helped South Carolina to a win over Old Dominion.[10] Kennard was named the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner as the top defensive player in college football.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Dearing, Chris. "How Kyle Kennard went from Gamecocks newcomer to team leader in first months on campus". The State. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Sugiura, Ken (June 12, 2019). "Riverwood DL Kyle Kennard gives commitment to Georgia Tech". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Kaye, Jordan. "South Carolina Football: Kyle Kennard commits to USC". The State. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ "Kyle Kennard". Sports Reference. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Clark, Chris (December 15, 2023). "South Carolina lands transfer portal EDGE Kyle Kennard". On3.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Bishop, Chad. "Georgia Tech's Kyle Kennard named ACC defensive lineman of the week". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Vigliotta, Emillie. "Transfer edge rusher Kyle Kennard's impact felt on Gamecocks' defensive line". The Daily Gamecock. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Adams, Emily (December 15, 2023). "Shane Beamer adds Georgia Tech transfer Kyle Kennard for South Carolina football defensive line". Greenville Online. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Caudell, Jackson (December 15, 2023). "Former Georgia Tech Defensive End Kyle Kennard Commits to South Carolina". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ Butt, Peyton. "Kyle Kennard and South Carolina defense looking to 'put their foot on the gas' ahead of Kentucky". On3.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
- ^ "Kyle Kennard Wins the 2024 Bronco Nagurski Trophy". University of South Carolina Athletics. December 9, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.