Highest-rated defensive ends Clemson Football could pursue in the transfer portal

Kyle Kennard

Kennard played for Riverwood High School in Atlanta, Georgia. He was a 3-star prospect in the Class of 2020.

Beyond Georgia Tech, he was offered by Tennessee, Missouri, Virginia, and Arizona State.

Kennard was the Yellow Jackets’ most productive defensive lineman in 2023. He had 53 tackles and six sacks. He was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week earlier in the season.

Pro Football Network says this:

"“For three seasons, Kyle Kennard has been an established part of Georgia Tech’s defensive line rotation, but little more than that. He peaked in 2022 with two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss, but there’s still room for Kennard to keep developing. He’s a raw pass rusher who lacks much of a counter game, but at 6’5″, 240 pounds, Kennard has the gliding mobility, length, and flexible frame to hold up in run defense.”"

Kennard is a lighter defensive end. He is 6’-5” and 238 pounds. At that height, he is fairly lean. His specialty is as an edge rusher. As we said, it’s hard to know what type of player Rumph would prefer, but most of the defensive ends available in the portal are on the larger side and could be more useful for run-stopping and setting the edge rather than rushing the quarterback.

I am not seeing much information, or even speculation, about where Kennard could end up. As a kid from the state of Georgia, he comes from a footprint where Clemson has seen success. He will have two more years of eligibility remaining.