NFL Draft 2025: DE Depth Includes SC Edge Rusher Kyle Kennard

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GREEN Bay – The NFL Draft features plenty of depth at defensive end. While some teams might consider quickly drafting Penn State’s Abdul Carter, Marshal’s Mike Green, Tennessee’s James Pearce Junior, Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer, or Ohio State’s J.T. Tuimoloau, there’s another big name to consider late in the second round or very early in the third round. South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard looks like one of the biggest steals of the draft.

Normally, Kennard could be a late first or early second round draft projection rather easily. He has excellent closing speed which is one of the first things a NFL general manager looks at when evaluating defensive ends. The game film shows an edge rusher who not only is an excellent pass rusher but also consistent as a run stopper.

Kennard does more than just put up big numbers. He forces quarterbacks to make quick decisions and rush throws. Forcing quarterbacks to make quicker reads that often lead to inaccurate pass attempts is part of Kennard’s game.

His flawless technique not only leads to opportunities to create turnovers by himself, it elevates the entire defensive line. Kennard has a knack for getting his teammates involved being a part of plan to get after quarterbacks and running backs early.

Though his production with Georgia Tech was limited in 2020-2022, Kennard recorded 6.5 sacks in 2023. He played a fifth year on South Carolina and recorded 11.5 sacks. In his final two seasons at Georgia Tech and South Carolina, he recorded a combined 52 tackles including 15.5 tackles for loss. He became the first South Carolina Gamecock to win the coveted Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player of the year)

While many of the other edge rushers are dominating headlines and being in discussions as first and second round selections, it’s important to look at Kennard and think this edge rusher has an early second or late first round grade in most drafts.

He also showed versatility, playing both right and left end as the game film proves m It’ll be interesting to see which team drafts him and in what round. Whether he’s drafted in the second or third round, a team is getting a high level playmaker that offensive lines may have to double team just to slow him down. He will likely be off the boards late in the second round but an early third projection is also a possibility. Kennard won’t likely be available in the fourth round.