This under-the-radar Clemson player brings swagger, and big plays, to Tigers defense
Derion Kendrick was going to get tested early and often in 2019, and the Clemson sophomore knew it.
Kendrick, who was making the switch from offense to defense, seemed like the obvious target for offenses to attack entering the year. On one side of the field the Tigers had an All-ACC cornerback in A.J. Terrell, who returned an interception for a touchdown in last year’s national championship game. On the other side — a converted wide receiver in Kendrick, who was moved to defensive back out of necessity this spring.
Kendrick, a former high school quarterback, even admitted who he would try to make plays against if he was a quarterback facing Clemson’s defense.
“If I was on offense, go at (me),” he said.
Offenses have tried to attack Kendrick at times this year, believing they can take advantage of his inexperience and find a hole in Clemson’s No. 1 scoring defense. But more times than not the Rock Hill native has made opponents pay.
He has four pass breakups and a pair of interceptions entering the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State and is a big reason why the Tigers lead the nation in pass defense, allowing 138.5 yards per game.
“He’s done a great job. I think with his background being an offensive player, understanding routes and sit-down points and things like that, I think he’s done a great job being that guy we can count on in one-on-one matchups,” Clemson safety Tanner Muse said. “One-on-one, there’s nobody better. We’ve got a 1-2 punch with A.J. and him, so he’s been great.”
Clemson’s coaching staff described Kendrick as a fish in water after he made the switch from receiver to DB this spring, and other members of Clemson’s secondary said it was obvious early on that he belonged.
The Tigers have one of the best groups of receivers in the country led by Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross and Amari Rodgers, and Kendrick held his own from the start.
“We knew Day 1 when he went out there and he was making plays on the greatest receivers in the country,” Tigers safety K’Von Wallace said of when he realized Kendrick would be just fine. “He was going out there and competing and making it a competitive fight. His first couple of reps there, he was going out there and doing what he does best and that’s competing.”
Kendrick has never been one to lack for confidence, and his competitive nature jumps out at you every time he takes the field. After he made six tackles and helped the Tigers keep Texas A&M out of the end zone until the final seconds in Week 2, his confidence went to a whole new level.
No matter what position he lines up at or who he lines up across, Kendrick always believes he is the best player on the field.
“His confidence is contagious,” Wallace said. “He’s always been confident in his ability to play offense, defense, special teams. Whatever he needs to do to help the team, he’s willing to do it. It’s contagious and encourages us to do our best and compete with him as well.”
Kendrick has also added some swagger to the Tigers’ defense, which is something he is proud of. When he breaks up a pass, records an interception or makes a tackle in the open field, he often times lets the opponent know.
“Ever since D.K. came over to the defense I feel like he has brought swagger. He’s a real confident, physical player,” Terrell said, “and talented of course. He can do it all. It gives me more juice on my side to see him over there and be confident. It feeds over to the whole team.”
That is quite the compliment for a guy who is in his first year playing defense for the Tigers and who joined Brent Venables’ unit when it was already one of the best in the country.
“Confidence is at an all-time high,” Muse said. “He’s super aggressive, takes no crap, which is what you’ve got to be as a corner.”
Next
Who: Clemson (13-0) vs. Ohio State (13-0)
Where: PlayStation Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28
TV: ESPN
Early line: Clemson by 2
