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South Carolina

Shane Beamer identifies one player as South Carolina's most pleasent surprise this year

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•11/14/24•

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Shane Beamer/Photo by CJ Driggers/Gamecock Central

Shane Beamer has built one of the best pass rushes in all of college football this season, highlighted by Kyle Kennard. The Georgia Tech transfer joined the program this offseason and has been in SEC backfields ever since. Seemingly nobody can block Kennard despite knowing the skillset he offers.

When South Carolina took Kennard, they knew a good player was being added to the roster. But even Beamer admitted expectations have been surpassed. Not too often will a head coach be honest in these situations but Beamer provided full transparency.

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“I knew Kyle Kennard was good,” Beamer said. “I don’t know if I knew Kyle Kennard was going to be this good. That’s just full disclosure. I watch his tape — he had some really good plays at Georgia Tech, don’t get me wrong. But it wasn’t like you just turned on a highlight tape and it’s 20 straight minutes of Kyle Kenard sacking quarterbacks and stuff.”

Sacks are the most eye-popping number when looking at Kennard’s stats. His 9.5 this year is just three behind his entire four-year career at Georgia Tech. Fourteen tackles for a loss in 2024 are the most in college football and clear his previous personal best.

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At least three games remain on the schedule but NFL teams already have to be excited by the idea of selecting Kennard this April. Beamer knows at least one coach, who is not currently in the league, is high on the edge rusher’s potential. Glowing reviews were coming in before the season began.

“I had a former NFL head coach that I was on the phone with back in July… He started talking about what a great portal pickup Kyle Kenard was as well,” Beamer said. “Surprise maybe isn’t a great word but it’s not a flash, it’s dominate every Saturday.”

South Carolina hosts Missouri on Saturday, with Kennard having another opportunity to make an impact. Plenty of players in the portal wound up finding success but Kennard might be the best of them all. Beamer is certainly happy it’s occurring in Columbia.