Former Clemson football CB Derion Kendrick has had a rough time over the last couple of seasons, but there is optimism that might all be behind him as he looks for a fresh start.
Kendrick, a former 5-star, stayed in Dabo Swinney’s ‘love shack’ for much of the 2020 season and never reached anywhere close to the expectations that were laid out for him coming into the year. As the spring came about, Kendrick crossed the line one last time and Swinney was left with no other choice but to dismiss him from the program.
Even though Swinney was disappointed with the decision he had to make, he said that he wished Kendrick nothing but the best and that he will be pulling for him no matter his next destination.
"“There is really not much to say about that except that he is not with us anymore,” Swinney said back in March. “But also I want to say that I love DK. He is a young man that I have always loved as a football player. He has a good heart. He has a really good heart. He has never been a disrespectful young man or anything like that, just sometimes there just needs to be a change.“Just so thankful to have the opportunity to help him and hopefully make a difference for him. These past three years, I am so thankful for all his contributions to our team and this program. I will be pulling for him wherever his next stop is and will always be for him.”"
According to the latest report from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Swinney and the Clemson football program might see Kendrick again sooner rather than later.
The AJC is reporting that there is “growing optimism” that the charges against Kendrick from shortly after he was dismissed from the program will be dropped and that he will join the Georgia Bulldogs.
Many Clemson football fans aren’t surprised that Derion Kendrick would get another shot with the Georgia Bulldogs
Makes sense for UGA. Get a player already in trouble with the law. 😂
— GMAN Bills Fan From SC (@theo042296) May 26, 2021
Obviously lol. Leaves and immediately gets arrested, its a perfect fit.
— Josiah (@EppsJde) May 26, 2021
Well I mean, he’ll fit in well with UGA. We still love you though Kendrick. I’ll be rooting with you
— Will (@WillTalksBa11) May 26, 2021
Hopefully he has his issues worked out and is doing better from a mental standpoint. I wonder of uga fans thinking. With knuckle head (putting if nicely) already going through and have been through the program, do they even care about there off the field image?
— Austin (@Austin33819279) May 26, 2021
Wish him all the best, except for on sept 4th. Go tigers!
— Beamer (@beaminlikewilli) May 26, 2021
Can’t blame UGA for trying to get some insight from him if he joins the team....
— Rich Wilder (@RichWilder434) May 26, 2021
At least he is back in football
— Keith Williams Jr (@Groove101206) May 26, 2021
Good luck to DK, he has so much potential. Also hope people see Dabo not restricting player decisions. Probably 90% of schools wouldn’t have approved this transfer to happen.
— RockdaleTiger💦🥩 (@Rockdale_Tiger) May 26, 2021
At least we know that the deep ball will be wide open
— Corey Jenkins (@Crymerge) May 26, 2021
So looks like we can throw deep every play then
— Harrison Boyd (@BoydHarrison) May 26, 2021
It makes a ton of sense that Georgia would want Kendrick.
The Bulldogs have been the program throughout the last few decades that haven’t cared about what the public might say about them and they’re opening up the season with Clemson, which would give them the opportunity to gain an insider insight.
Kendrick has shown tons of potential and there was even buzz that he might be a first-rounder at certain points in his career. However, he definitely has development to do if he wants to reach those heights.
In the end, Clemson football fans should wish Kendrick well. The most important thing is his wellbeing and while we understand Tiger fans not pulling for him on September 4th and we also understand those who are frustrated with Georgia for going after a Tiger, we’ve got a feeling that he’ll still have plenty of supporters for the remainder of the season once the Tigers and Bulldogs have done battle in Charlotte.