South Carolina senior officially declares for NFL Draft
South Carolina senior Kyle Kennard has declared for the NFL Draft, he revealed on Friday on social media. The veteran pass rusher doesn’t have any more collegiate eligibility, but the announcement gave him an opportunity to thank those who helped him get where he is today.
In his announcement, Kennard thanked God, his parents and family, everyone associated with Georgia Tech (his previous school), the coaches and staff with the Gamecocks, his teammates, and South Carolina football fans. He also dedicated his past success and any future success to come to his two sons.
It is worth noting that Kennard’s message did not include direct word of his plans for the Citrus Bowl. A social media post like this could be an indicator of an opt-out, but the All-American did not say one way or the other. The Gamecocks will play in Orlando on December 31st.
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Either way, though, in just one season with the program, Kyle Kennard became a Gamecock legend.
After transferring from Georgia Tech, the 6’5″ EDGE rusher posted one of the best seasons in program history. He finished the 2024 regular season with 11.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Both of those numbers led the SEC this season and were top 10 nationally. The sack mark is 2nd-best in Gamecock history and 1.5 shy of Jadeveon Clowney’s 2012 record. The 16 tackles behind the line of scrimmage tie Rickey Hagood (1983) for 3rd-most at South Carolina; that is behind Eric Norwood’s 19 (2007) and Clowney’s 23.5 (2012).
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Virtually every All-SEC and All-American list that exists included Kennard’s name in their 2024 awards and honors. He also is the AP and SEC Coaches Defensive Player of the Year and the Nagurski Trophy winner. Kennard is a finalist for several other prestigious awards that will announce their winners at a later date.
Kennard is expected to be a top 100 pick in April’s NFL Draft. He has been mocked as high as the 1st round and should be taken during one of the draft’s first two days (rounds one, two, and three).
