South Carolina football fifth-year edge rusher Kyle Kennard declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Dec. 13, 2024. Kennard joined the Gamecocks in January 2024, where he used his last year of eligibility after spending the previous four years at Georgia Tech. During his time with the Yellow Jackets, he had 20 career starts out of 42 contests, where he had 115 career tackles and 12.5 sacks.
Starting 12 games at South Carolina, Kennard finished with 28 total tackles and led the SEC with 15.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He also had three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
After his time at South Carolina, Kennard came home with the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, SEC Defensive Lineman and Player of the Year, as well as First-Team All-America and First-Team All-SEC.
Strengths
Kennard's first four years with the Yellow Jackets were in the ACC conference. Having to change conferences late in your career can be an adjustment. Yet, he was able to have a quick impact on the Gamecocks. After three games, he logged five sacks and seven tackles for loss. His quick fit and adjustment to the team could be something to highlight.
Five years playing college football has the chance to come into the professional league with some maturity. He can progress his decision-making on the field and add to a future team. when he was at Georgia Tech. He finished the season with 15 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. By his last year with the Yellow Jackets, he started six out of 12 games and ended that season with 54 total tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Something that could bring attention to Kennard’s play is his explosiveness. He may not be one of the fastest edge rushers of the draft class, but he does have an impressive first-step quickness. He can quickly get off the line of scrimmage efficiently and put stress on blockers. His 40-yard dash was timed at 4.73 seconds with a 10-yard split of 1.63 seconds.
He brings his athleticism, size and strength together in his game and playmaking decisions to be a well-rounded edge rusher.
Weakness
While Kennard has an efficient pass rush, he does not have much versatility. He has an effective rip and cross-chop move but does not have a wide variety of moves. This can make him more predictable when studied by teams and opponents.
According to NFL.com, he is slow to diagnose block movement, which could ultimately lead to longer-length plays by ball carriers on offense. His size could also be an issue when matched up, which causes him to get pushed around easier on the field. He was measured at 6 feet, 3 inches tall, weighing 254 pounds.
"The production looks great but there are too many times where he gets bullied for my liking," said by an NFC national scout
Getting knocked off balance is a point that NFL.com showcased on Kennard’s draft profile.
NFL fits and draft outlooks
At the 2025 NFL Combine, Kennard was able to showcase his athleticism to various NFL scouts.
Kennard measured a 33 and three-eights-inch arm length and 80-inch wingspan. On bench press, he had a total of 23 reps at 225 pounds. He was ranked the 18th defensive end/edge with a total score of 71, according to NFL.com.
After that performance, the Kansas City Chiefs scheduled an official visit with Kennard. In the first three rounds, the Chiefs hold picks 31, 63, 66 and 95. They have emphasized a need for defensive players.
Kennard’s overall draft profile estimates him to go in the second or third round of the draft. A lot of teams are in need of an edge, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him go even earlier. Some of those teams include the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers and the Baltimore Ravens.
Bleacher Report compares Kennard to Byron Young,an outside linebacker who was drafted out of the University of Tennessee to the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Throughout his career in the NFL, he has had 76 total tackles and 15.5 sacks.
While at the combine, Kennard talked to the media about what he could bring to a future team that might draft him.
“I am a complete defensive end. I feel like some people pass rush to the table, and some bring morale to the table, but I feel like I bring everything and then some,” Kennard said. (0:05-0:14)
What’s next?
The 2025 NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, April 24, at 8 p.m. EST and end on Saturday, April 26. The Green Bay Packers are set to host, and it will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin.