Keep An Eye South Carolina Edge Rusher Kyle Kennard As NFL Draft Sleeper

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Keep An Eye South Carolina Edge Rusher Kyle Kennard As NFL Draft Sleeper

Bob Rose · Athlon Sports

Wed, Apr 16, 2025 ·

4 min read

Kyle Kennard , Edge (South Carolina)

South Carolina Gamecocks edge Kyle Kennard (5) lined up against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images

After being a three-star recruit at Riverwood International Charter School in Georgia, Kennard would start his collegiate career at Georgia Tech. He'd get light situational action in 2020 and 2021, still managing 4.5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss.

In 2022, Kennard worked his way into a bigger role for the Yellow Jackets and had 2 sacks with 5 stops for negative yardage. He was a full-time starter by 2023 and responded by leading Georgia Tech in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (11) while intercepting a pass and forcing 2 fumbles.

Transferring to South Carolina to finish his college career, Kennard turned in his best campaign. He'd lead the SEC with 11.5 sacks while producing 16 tackles for loss and forcing 2 fumbles. That production earned him 1st Team All-American honors while winning him the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Bronko Nagurski awards.

LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) is pressured by South Carolina Gamecocks edge Kyle Kennard (5). Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Kennard's production in the SEC was impressive but also leads to questions whether he can do it consistently. He's on the light side, even for a stand-up rusher, which raises questions if he can be an every down player.

A speed rusher, Kennard needs to expand his pass rush moves and improve power to likely be consistently disruptive. He'll tend to play too upright, allowing blockers to get leverage and often causing him to be blown off the ball as a run defender.

Kennard needs to play more disciplined. He had a tendency to lose containment against mobile quarterbacks and get caught out of position against the run. Already light for his position, he'll need better discipline, power, and leverage to keep from being engulfed by bigger blockers.

Kennard has a decisive first step and impressive speed into his moves. This makes him even more explosive because of excellent timing at the snap. He'll get on top of blockers in a flash, somewhat making up for lack of bulk.

South Carolina Gamecocks edge Kyle Kennard (5) brings down Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) in the end zone as he attempts to throw. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Imagn Images

The ability to dip under a blocker's outside shoulder helps Kennard gain leverage against the pass. He also has several finesse counter moves that will leave pass protection flailing at air as he blows by them.

Kennard plays with a high motor. Many of his sacks came late into a play because of his tenacious style. That same tenacity will also allow him to run down the ball away from the play. He also shows solid awareness and is rarely out of position if he can win his battles at the line of scrimmage.

Kyle Kennard is projected as a late-Day 2 selection. He could possibly slip early into Day 3 because his size presents some scheme limitations.

At the very least, Kennard could provide an immediate impact as a situational pass rusher. With some added power, Kennard may develop into a starter as a stand-up edge rusher for a 3-4 system.