South Carolina senior added to two major award watch lists
On Thursday, South Carolina football EDGE Kyle Kennard was added to the midseason watch lists for two major awards. The Bednarik Award, named for Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik, included Kennard as one of 13 additions. Then, the Lombardi Award, named for Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, also moved Kennard to their watch list.
Kennard joins teammate Tonka Hemingway on the Bednarik watch list and also is one of 22 SEC players on the Lombardi list.
The Maxwell Football Club awards the Bednarik Award each year to the top defensive player in college football. The Rotary Club of Houston gives out the Lombardi Award to the top lineman (offensive or defensive) in the nation.
The Bednarik semifinalists will be announced on November 12th before the winner is revealed on December 12th. The Lombardi Award winner will receive his award on December 11th.
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Kennard earned his way onto these lists. Through just six games in the 2024 season, the fifth-year senior has set career-high numbers in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (11.5). Those numbers are good for fourth and tied-for-second in the country, respectively. Officials also have removed multiple sacks with penalties (both ones against the Gamecocks and ones against opponents).
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His impact has been even bigger than his mainstream stats indicate as he also is near the top of the national leaderboard in pressures and hurries.
Kennard has partnered with freshman Dylan Stewart to form one of the most dynamic pass-rush duos in the country. The improved ability to pressure quarterbacks has been one of the biggest reasons for the Gamecock defense’s success in 2024.
Recently, ESPN ranked Kennard as the 14th-best player in college football this season. On3 also included the star defensive end as one of their biggest risers in NIL Valuation.
