Kyle M. Kennard (born December 12, 2001) is an American football defensive end for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He previously played for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Kyle Kennard
South Carolina Gamecocks – No. 5
PositionDefensive end
ClassFifth Year
MajorServices Management
Personal information
Born: (2001-12-12) December 12, 2001 (age 22)
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight254 lb (115 kg)
Career history
College
High schoolRiverwood (Sandy Springs, Georgia)

Early life and high school

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Kennard attended high school at Riverwood International Charter School located in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Coming out of high school, Kennard was rated as a three-star recruit, where he committed to play college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.[1][2]

College career

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Georgia Tech

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In Kennard's first two seasons in 2020 and 2021, he 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 Gamecocks 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 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][10]

South Carolina

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Kennard transfered to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.[11][12] 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.[13]

References

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  1. ^ Sugiura, Ken. "Riverwood DL Kyle Kennard gives commitment to Georgia Tech". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  2. ^ Tankersley, Benjamin (12 June 2019). "Georgia Tech Football: EDGE Kyle Kennard Commits to the Yellow Jackets!". From The Rumble Seat. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  3. ^ Kaye, Jordan. "South Carolina Football: Kyle Kennard commits to USC". The State. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Kyle Kennard". Sports Reference. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  5. ^ Clark, Chris (15 December 2023). "South Carolina lands transfer portal EDGE Kyle Kennard". On3.com. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  6. ^ Bishop, Chad. "Georgia Tech's Kyle Kennard named ACC defensive lineman of the week". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  7. ^ Vigliotta, Emillie. "Transfer edge rusher Kyle Kennard's impact felt on Gamecocks' defensive line". The Daily Gamecock. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  8. ^ Adams, Emily (15 December 2023). "Shane Beamer adds Georgia Tech transfer Kyle Kennard for South Carolina football defensive line". Greenville Online. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  9. ^ Peavy, Matt (6 June 2024). "South Carolina Transfer Kyle Kennard Listen Among CFB's Most Impactful Transfers". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  10. ^ Caudell, Jackson (15 December 2023). "Former Georgia Tech Defensive End Kyle Kennard Commits to South Carolina". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  11. ^ Veltri, Jack (14 August 2024). "Kyle Kennard sees 'historical' potential for defense. But what's holding South Carolina back?". On3.com. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  12. ^ Dearing, Chris. "How Kyle Kennard went from Gamecocks newcomer to team leader in first months on campus". The State. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  13. ^ Butt, Peyton. "Kyle Kennard and South Carolina defense looking to 'put their foot on the gas' ahead of Kentucky". On3.com. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
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