First-round Gamecock: Where Kyle Kennard stands on ESPN analyst’s first NFL Draft board
Kyle Kennard’s breakout season for South Carolina has the attention of NFL personnel.
ESPN analyst Field Yates thinks that big season could land Kennard in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Yates’ first mock draft has Kennard going with the 26th pick to the Green Bay Packers.
“The South Carolina defensive line is among the best position groups in the FBS this season, with Kennard bursting onto the scene in his first season with the program. He is tied for fifth in the nation with 11.5 sacks, and his length and acceleration made him a challenge to block this season,” Yates wrote. “Green Bay is middle-of-the-pack in sacks (33) but ranks 28th in pressure rate (28.3%). Kennard can improve that situation.”
Kennard, who transferred to USC from Georgia Tech, had 11.5 sacks and 28 tackles this season, was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player. His 11.5 sacks were just shy of tying Jadeveon Clowney’s school record of 13 in a season.
Kennard has declared for the NFL Draft and isn’t expected to play in the team’s bowl game against Illinois.
Kennard won’t be the only Gamecock player expected to go high in the draft. Pro Football Network projects USC safety Nick Emmanwori as a potential first-round pick, going No. 16 overall. Emmanwori hasn’t announced yet if he will be declaring for the draft.
Defensive tackle TJ Sanders was projected by CBS Sports at one point to go in the first round.
The NFL Draft is April 24-26, 2025.
