How Kyle Kennard has used veteran leadership to help South Carolina's defense in 2024
Despite being a new addition to the Gamecocks this season, sixth-year EDGE Kyle Kennard has found ways to translate his veteran experience to his new team.
Kennard played with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during his four years. During that time, he amassed 64 total tackles, 12.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss.
“When I first got here I tried to integrate my leadership skills the best way I can without stepping on the leaders, who’s been here, toes. We kind of do a good job of working together,” Kennard said.
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Working alongside other Gamecock veterans, Kennard makes sure his guys are in-check for the betterment of the team. However, working and communicating with the other leaders is crucial for success as a whole. Not all leadership styles are the same.
“We try to do some of the same things,” Kennard said. “I mean, I say same things. Somethings I may do different, it’s just like I tend to my room.”
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So far as a Gamecock, Kennard is excelling at his position as he’s on pace to possibly shatter his total sacks number across his first four years with six games to go. He has recorded 17 total tackles, 13 of which being solo, and 7.5 sacks.
Strength as a team starts in the position rooms with good talent. For Kennard, that means leading the EDGE rushers with his experience to create a more unified team.
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“We’ve kind of been talking about something recently called power of the unit,” Kennard said. “As the units, as far as like the D-line, the EDGEs and the O-line, I feel like if you tend to your own unit as a whole, we’ll all be good. So, I feel like that’s the solid leadership I’ve been using.”
