Kyle

Kennard

A five-year college vet who reinvented himself at South Carolina, Kennard (6’4/254) turned heads in 2024 by winning the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and logging 11.5 sacks, which ranked second-most in South Carolina history behind only Jadeveon Clowney. The Georgia Tech transfer found his stride in a jet-mode stance, flashing 4.73 speed (82nd%) and a twitchy, long-limbed frame (34” arms) that thrives from wide-nine alignments. His 2024 tape shows a player with first-step juice and burst around the edge, pairing forward lean with a sudden plant-and-go counter to beat oversetting tackles. However, Kennard’s pass-rush plan lacks depth, producing a modest 39 total pressures which ranked 50th in the FBS. He often gets jolted off-balance and hasn’t yet mastered hand counters or shed moves. Still, he plays with effort and posted a strong 80.7 pass-rush grade thanks to his speed and ability to corner. While not yet a complete player, Kennard brings juice on passing downs and projects as a rotational Edge with developmental starter upside in a 4-3 or hybrid front.

Tough cookies for Arizona State and Minnesota, both of whom had been in the running to land Kennard. The 6-foot-6, 215-pounder took an official visit to Georgia Tech near the end of May which helped to seal the deal, here. He praised the “fire and energy” of the new coaching regime. Rivals analyst Chad Simmons notes that the Atlanta native “excels as a pass rusher” while “flash[ing] quickness off the ball and the ability to turn that corner.” Simmons’ outlet ranks Kennard as the No. 109 prospect in the state of Georgia for the 2020 cycle.

Farrell refers to the 6-foot-6, 215-pound Kennard -- who committed to Georgia Tech on Wednesday -- as a “long, skinny pass-rusher.” He has quickness in spades. The Rivals analyst calls the Yellow Jackets’ current recruiting haul (No. 12 on the outlet) “one of the surprises of the cycle.” Kennard has spoken to the work of HC Geoff Collins and staff, noting that during his May official visit, they came across as being filled with “fire and energy.” Rivals ranks Kennard (who hails from Atlanta) as the No. 109 prospect in the state of Georgia for the 2020 cycle.