Kyle Kennard DE/EDGE South Carolina | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Kyle Kennard DE/EDGE South Carolina
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 10/28/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (79%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
| Last Updated: 10/28/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.70 seconds (79%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 84.7 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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78% |
| Pass Rush: |
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88% |
| Run Defense: |
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80% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#79
Position rank:
#26
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| College Games: 54 College Snaps: 1994 | ||
ESPN RATING: 77/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 86/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Felix Anudike-Uzomah - Kansas State |
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93% |
| K.J. Henry - Clemson |
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89% |
| Jalyx Hunt - Houston Christian |
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88% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Kyle Kennard emerged as a force on South Carolina's defensive front after transferring from Georgia Tech, where he had already established himself as a productive edge defender. The 6'5", 254-pound defensive end from Sandy Springs, Georgia, demonstrated consistent improvement throughout his collegiate career, accumulating 115 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks across 49 games.At Georgia Tech, Kennard showed steady progression, starting with a promising freshman campaign where he recorded 2.5 sacks in limited action. His production continued to climb, culminating in a breakout senior season where he posted career-highs with 11.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks, including a remarkable four-sack performance against Wake Forest that tied for the most by any FBS player in 2023.
His transfer to South Carolina proved transformative, as he quickly became an integral part of one of college football's most formidable defensive lines. Kennard's impact was immediate, leading the SEC in both sacks and tackles for loss early in the 2024 season, while earning the South Carolina Spirit Award for his defensive contributions.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Natural twitch off the snap with explosive burst in his get-off, routinely winning the edge before tackles can set their anchor
- Refined pass rush toolbox featuring a devastating cross-chop move, violent hand strikes, and fluid ghost technique around the arc
- Shows plus ankle flexion and hip mobility when cornering, maintains acceleration through the turn while dipping under tackle's punch
- Long-levered frame with ideal wingspan to stack and shed, consistently creates separation at point of attack
- Hot motor who plays through the echo of the whistle, relentless backside pursuit and second-effort rusher
- Position-versatile edge defender comfortable working upright or hand-in-dirt across multiple fronts
- Natural instincts reading blocking schemes, quickly diagnoses screens and misdirection without false steps
- Battle-tested performer who answered the bell week after week, no durability red flags over four seasons
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Pad level rises quickly out of stance, particularly as standup rusher, leaving chest exposed to power sets
- One-trick pony as a rusher who lacks counter game when initial move stalls, needs expanded pass rush plan
- Undersized frame with limited sand in pants, can get bulled in run game when tackles get into his body
- Struggles to anchor against base blocks, gets washed by double teams and combo blocks in run game
- Limited pass rush repertoire working inside, predominantly wins with speed-to-power around the edge
Scouting Report: Summary
A twitched-up edge rusher with juice to burn, showing natural pass rush traits and refined hand usage that will translate immediately to third-down packages. The burst off the ball and ankle flexion pop on tape, with the length and short-area quickness to consistently threaten the corner against NFL tackles.The lean frame and anchor limitations suggest a role as a designated pass rusher early while adding functional mass. Best deployed as a stand-up rusher in an aggressive 3-4 front that allows him to pin his ears back and hunt quarterbacks. The pass rush toolkit is advanced but expanding his counters and developing a more varied approach will be crucial.
The natural gifts as a rusher combined with proven production against SEC competition point to an impact sub-package player with starting upside. Will need time in an NFL weight room to develop the play strength for early downs, but the pass rush prowess provides immediate value to a defense that can maximize his strengths while developing his limitations.
How other scouting services rate Kyle Kennard (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
63.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
22.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.