How Kyle Kennard's consensus All-American season compares to other great South Carolina pass rushers
With Kyle Kennard’s South Carolina football career now over (he will not play in the Citrus Bowl at the end of the month), there has been a lot of conversation in Gamecock Nation about how good the senior EDGE was in 2024.
In short, Kennard had one of the best seasons in Gamecock history. The consensus All-American led the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss and earned the Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player.
Let’s take a look at how his 2024 showing compares to some of the greatest careers and single-seasons among South Carolina EDGE players.
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DE Kyle Kennard (2024)
- Consensus All-American (made all five major teams, 1st team by three publications) and All-SEC
- Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (Defensive Player of the Year)
- Finalist for Lombardi Award, Blanchard-Rogers Trophy (still unannounced); Semifinalist for Bednarik Award
- SEC Defensive Player of the Year (AP, SEC Coaches)
- 11.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss (both led SEC, top 10 nationally)
- Projected top 100 NFL Draft pick in 2025
DE Jadeveon Clowney (2011-2013)
- Consensus and Unanimous All-American (made all five major teams, 1st team by all five publications) in 2012, 1st team All-American in 2013, Freshman All-American in 2011, 1st team All-SEC in 2012 and 2013, 2nd team All-SEC in 2011
- Ted Hendricks Award winner (Defensive End of the Year) in 2012
- AT&T and ESPN.om All-America Player of the Year winner in 2012
- Finalist for Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy in 2012; 6th place in Heisman Trophy voting in 2012
- SEC Defensive Player of the Year (SEC Coaches) in 2012, SEC Freshman of the Year in 2011
- 13 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss (both 3rd nationally, 2nd in SEC) in 2012; 8 sacks, 12 tackles for loss in 2011; 3 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss in 2013
- Single-season South Carolina records for sacks and tackles for loss in 2012; single-game USC record for sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (4.5) against Clemson in 2012
- 1st round NFL Draft pick (1st overall) in 2014
DE/DT/OLB Melvin Ingram (2007-2011)
- Consensus All-American (made all five major teams, 1st team by four publications)
- Finalist for Bednarik Award in 2011; Semifinalist for Lombardi Award in 2011
- 10 sacks, 15 tackles for loss (10th nationally, 2nd in SEC in sacks) in 2011; 9 sacks, 11 tackles for loss in 2010
- Scored three touchdowns (two on defense), also added two interceptions in 2011
- 1st round NFL Draft pick (18th overall) in 2012
DE/OLB Eric Norwood (2006-2009)
- All-American in 2009, Freshman All-American in 2006, three-time 1st team All-SEC from 2007 to 2009, one-time 2nd team All-SEC in 2006
- Finalist for Butkus Award in 2009; Semifinalist for Bednarik Award and Lombardi Award in 2009; Quarterfinalist for Lott Trophy in 2009
- 7 sacks, 9 tackles for loss in 2006; 6 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss (top 10 nationally in tackle for loss) in 2007; 9 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss in 2008; 7 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss in 2009
- Scored two touchdowns on fumble recoveries in 2007, also added two interceptions (one pick-six) in 2009; second on the team in tackles three years in a row from 2007-2009
- Career South Carolina record for sacks (29) and tackles for loss (54.5) from 2006-2009
- 4th round NFL Draft pick (124th overall) in 2010
DE/OLB Kalimba Edwards (1998-2001)
- 1st team All-American in 2001, 3rd team All-American in 2000, 1st team All-SEC in 2000 and 2001
- Semifinalist for Lombardi Award and Butkus Award in 2001
- 7 sacks, 11 tackles for loss in 2000*; 15 career sacks
- Scored a touchdown on an interception return in 2000
- 2nd round NFL Draft pick (35th overall) in 2002
*Complete individual season numbers are not available for Edwards
DE/OLB John Abraham (1996-1999)
- 1st team All-SEC in 1999
- 4 sacks in 1996; 6.5 sacks in 1997; 7 sacks in 1998; 6 sacks in 1999*
- Only Gamecock to lead team in sacks for four years straight
- 1st round NFL Draft pick (13th overall) in 2000
*Complete tackles for loss numbers are not available for Abraham
