When fifth-year edge rusher Kyle Kennard transferred to South Carolina in his last year of eligibility, he joined a team that was looking to improve its pass rush during the Gamecocks' preseason.
Two games in, Kennard has started to cement his status on South Carolina's defense. Following his performance in the South Carolina's game against Old Dominion, Kennard was named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week. He also leads the Gamecocks' defense with 3.5 sacks so far in the 2024 season.
“That was somewhere as a team that we lacked last year, and that’s something that we definitely are trying to hone in on this year,” Kennard said. “Turn pressures into sacks, and turn hits into sacks, and do different things that will get us closer to the quarterback.”
Kennard joined the Gamecocks from Georgia Tech, where he provided consistent pressure off the edge and was the team leader in sacks in 2023. During Kennard's four seasons with the Yellow Jackets, he appeared in 42 contests, 20 of which he started, and was credited with 115 career tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.
Kennard was honored as an ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week during his senior year at Georgia Tech, and had four sacks when Georgia Tech played Wake Forest in September 2023. Kennard's single-fame sack total was the highest by an FBS player in 2023 and the most by a Yellow Jacket in 10 years.
After joining the Gamecocks, Kennard showed out in preseason, earning himself the 2024 South Carolina Spirit Award for defense in the spring. He provided insight into the difficulties of the pass rush and his position in a preseason interview. With modern offensive strategies, it's become much harder to get close, pressure the quarterback and get the sack, Kennard said.
Kennard recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble in South Carolina debut against Old Dominion. The fumble came on a strip sack on the second play of the game, and the Gamecocks' offense scored its first touchdown of the season on the ensuing drive.
“It was just very cool seeing the work I put out there in the offseason manifest onto the field,” Kennard said after the game. “Work doesn’t always guarantee you anything, so for things to fall into my hands, it was a pretty good feeling.”
Kennard's success on the field is bolstered by the formidable edge rushing duo he has formed with freshman edge Dylan Stewart. The two have quickly made their mark, sharing the SEC Co-Defensive Linesman of the Week accolade. Together, the players have combined for four tackles each, six sacks and four forced fumbles in their first two games of the season.
Defensive coordinator Clayton White said he was impressed with Kennard and Stewart, not only for their performances but also for their mindsets going into the game.
“Obviously, you're excited when that kind of production is on your team and the way (Kennard and Stewart) played on Saturday,” White said. “We were more excited about their process of getting ready for the football game and how they approach the week.”
White said Kennard has excelled in translating his practice into game situations.
“I’ve seen those guys pass rush for six months, I’ve seen those moves,” White said. “I’ve seen those guys get to those launch points, but it was nice to see it in the game and showcase it to our folks.”
Kennard's success in the season opener raised expectations for his performance in the Gamecocks’ first conference game against Kentucky, but he said he did not feel much pressure heading into the game. Instead, he felt excited, he said.
Kennard would then play a pivotal part in South Carolina’s blowout 31-6 win against the Wildcats on Saturday, which vaulted the Gamecocks to a 2-0 record on the season. With Stewart on one side and Kennard on the other, Kentucky struggled stop South Carolina's pass rush.
South Carolina racked up five sacks and held Kentucky to just 44 passing yards, disrupting any passing momentum the Wildcats tried to sustain.
Junior defensive back Nick Emmanwori said the Gamecocks' pass rush, which consisted of Kennard, Stewart, redshirt junior defensive tackle T.J. Sanders and fifth-year defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway, helped make the team's secondary feel more comfortable.
"It makes it extremely easy (to play) when you got guys like T.J., Tonka, Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart up there, rushing a passer," Emmanwori said. "You're back there chilling. I mean, almost like you don't even need us back there to play."
The Gamecocks' pass rush and defensive line was effective enough that it forced the Wildcats change quarterbacks, junior defensive tack T.J. Sandars said. Kentucky's starting quarterback, junior Brock Vandagriff, was eventually taken out of the game, with junior Gavin Wimsatt taking his place.
"(Kentucky) started subbing in the backup quarterback a lot, the guy who likes to run more than he wants to sit back there and pass," Sanders said. "Once we saw that, we knew we really had the advantage on those guys, taking away the one thing that they can do."
Kennard and the rest of the Gamecocks' defensive line could be crucial in South Carolina's matchup with LSU, whose offensive line was rated the third-best in college football by Pro Football Focus on Saturday.
The Gamecocks will face the Tigers on Saturday at noon at Williams-Brice Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ABC and featured on ESPN's College GameDay.