Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Kyle Kennard, DE
School: South Carolina | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6’4” / 254 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd-4th Round
Player Comparison: Felix Anudike-Uzomah
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Comb | TFL | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | IntTD | PD | FR | Yds | FRTD | FF | Awards |
| 2020 | Georgia Tech | ACC | FR | DL | 6 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2021 | Georgia Tech | ACC | FR | DL | 12 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 4 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | Georgia Tech | ACC | SO | DL | 12 | 19 | 17 | 36 | 5 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2023* | Georgia Tech | ACC | JR | DL | 12 | 32 | 22 | 54 | 11 | 6.0 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2024* | South Carolina | SEC | SR | DL | 12 | 20 | 8 | 28 | 16 | 11.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Nagurski,AA | |
| Career | 54 | 84 | 59 | 143 | 39 | 24.0 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |||||
| Georgia Tech (4 Yrs) | 42 | 64 | 51 | 115 | 23 | 12.5 | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||
| South Carolina (1 Yr) | 12 | 20 | 8 | 28 | 16 | 11.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||||
Player Overview
A three-star recruit out of Atlanta, Kyle Kennard chose to stay close to home and attend Georgia Tech rather than play at Iowa State, Arizona State, Tennessee, and others. At the end of his freshman year, Kennard became a starter and generated most of his production in the final games of the season. Kennard remained in a reserve role the following season, only starting two games. With increased time as a starter in his junior year, Kennard’s production also increased.
As a senior in his final year at Georgia Tech, Kennard led the team in tackles for a loss and sacks. This caught the eye of South Carolina and they made it a priority to get him in the transfer portal. Once in Columbia, Kennard got to work. On a defensive line full of very talented players, Kennard was the most productive Gamecock. He was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, a First-Team All-American, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner – the best defensive player in college football.
Strengths
- Good size with excellent length
- Gets upfield quickly with long strides
- Displays strong hands to stun blockers
- Uses ghost move, rip moves, and chops to beat blockers outside
- Long legs make inside counters effective
Weaknesses
- If initial rush fails, can stay attached to blockers
- Hip tightness can make turning the corner difficult
- Needs more strength to not be pushed off rush path
- Needs to diversify rushes; can rely too much on ghost move
- Can hesitate to act as he diagnoses play
Let’s See His Work
Kyle Kennard is a prototype standup edge rusher with the potential to be a star edge defender.
Kennard posted 10 sacks and 39 pressures in 2024. He’s capable of making splash plays to impact the game, but has to become a more consistent pass rusher and run defender.
Day 2 pick. pic.twitter.com/zWUGRekMKf
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 7, 2025
The Washington Commanders had a formal meeting with the following player at the NFL Combine:
Kyle Kennard, DE/Edge, South Carolina
According to several sources.
— Ken Johannesen (@BurgundyBurner) March 4, 2025
Kyle Kennard is a DE prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 8.28 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 314 out of 1820 DE from 1987 to 2025.
Splits projected, explosion and agilities pending pro day.https://t.co/77bT78L2ap pic.twitter.com/e1LzLvBwUN
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) February 28, 2025
How He Fits on the Commanders
Free agency has kicked off and the Commanders appear comfortable letting Dante Fowler, Jr. and Clelin Ferrell walk. Deatrich Wise, Jr. was signed in free agency, but the team is likely to look to the draft to find defensive ends to go with him, Dorance Armstrong, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste.
After a productive final season for the Gamecocks, Kyle Kennard could be a good rotational player for the Commanders to begin his career. He should be able to get to QBs using his length, initial quickness, and pass rush moves The strength and better pass rush plans will come with time. Those are the only things that will prevent him from being a starter right away. Even if he does not improve in these areas, he should be able to provide rotational depth at the position in a role similar to Dante Fowler, Jr.’s last season.