Kyle Kennard

Kyle M. Kennard (born December 12, 2001) is an American professional football outside linebacker. He is currently a free agent. Kennard played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and South Carolina Gamecocks. Kennard was selected by the Chargers in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Early life Kennard was born on December 12, 2001 in Flint, Michigan. Kennard's family moved to Georgia when he was 9 and he attended Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Coming out of high school, he was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

College career Georgia Tech In his first two seasons in 2020 and 2021, Kennard recorded 25 tackles with six being for a loss and four and a half sacks. During the 2022 season, Kennard played in twelve games for the Yellow Jackets while making nine starts, where he totaled 36 tackles with four and a half being for a loss, and two sacks. In week two of the 2023 season, Kennard was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) defensive lineman of the week after notching five tackles with half of one being for a loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception, in a win over the South Carolina State Bulldogs. In week four, he would once again be named the ACC defensive lineman of the week after recording four sacks and a forced fumble versus Wake Forest. Kennard finished the 2023 season tallying 54 tackles with 11 being for a loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception. After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Kennard entered the NCAA transfer portal.

South Carolina Kennard transferred to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He also holds the #2 spot for program single season sacks with 11.5, trailing only Jadeveon Clowney who recorded 13 in 2012. Kennard was named the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner as the top defensive player in college football.

College statistics

Professional career

Kennard was selected with the 125th pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft. He was waived/injured on August 30, 2026.