Derion Kendrick has already proven to be a valuable commodity offensively for Clemson football, but he could make a bigger impact defensively.
The Clemson football coaching staff made a decision that could alter the projection of Derion Kendrick’s career during the spring.
Kendrick, who was penciled in to get a ton of playing time at wide receiver during his sophomore campaign, made the move over to the defensive side of the ball. At first, the coaching staff only moved Kendrick over there because they needed bodies at the cornerback position.
With Kyler McMichael and Mario Goodrich out, as well as other banged up, the position was growing thin for reps during spring camp.
While the switch was just expected to be temporary, Kendrick absolutely blew the coaches away during those practices and followed it up with a solid performance in the spring game. Clemson football Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables told the media following the spring that Kendrick would be the starter at corner if the season started today.
While Kendrick was excelling at cornerback on the defensive side of the ball, something else happened on the offensive side of the ball. Fellow teammate Amari Rodgers suffered a torn ACL that is expected to hold him out of action for the majority of the season. With the starting position at slot receiver open, Kendrick would’ve been the favorite to win the job.
However, the coaches kept him at cornerback for the remainder of the spring. So, what does that tell us about where Derion Kendrick will play in 2019?
There’s a good chance we see the talented athlete play on both sides of the ball in some capacity. If the Tigers need another weapon at wide receiver and the cornerbacks- guys like McMichael, Sheridan Jones and incoming freshman Andrew Booth- prove that they can handle it, then we could see Kendrick transition back to full-time offense.
There’s also an opportunity for him to, perhaps, earn a starting job on the defense and still contribute some snaps offensively.
It will certainly be something to watch when fall camp begins in just a couple of months.