2022 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Alabama vs. Georgia
Georgia CB Derion Kendrick
Georgia’s pass defense has been extremely stout this season as they’ve allowed the fewest yards per pass attempt and fewest yards per completion on the year. Their tremendous front seven is one reason for this, but their back-end defenders are no slouch either.
Derion Kendrick is a 6’0” 190-pound senior from Rock Hill, South Carolina. He began his college career at Clemson as a wide receiver, switched to defensive back out of necessity and hasn’t looked back. He made second team All-ACC in 2019 and was named to the first team All-ACC in 2020 as a junior. Kendrick followed that up with All-SEC first team honors in 2021.
In February 2021, Kendrick was dismissed from Clemson due to a history of disciplinary problems. He then joined the best defense in the country in Athens, Georgia. His numbers this year aren’t spectacular as he has two interceptions, one tackle for loss and three passes defended. But at the cornerback position the traditional raw numbers don’t always tell the full story.
This season Derion Kendrick hasn’t given up a touchdown to the receiver he was covering. He’s also second in the SEC in passer efficiency allowed when targeted. In addition to that, Kendrick has only allowed 19 receptions on 38 targets this season. He’s been taking away his side of the field consistently all year.
Projecting forward ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, Kendrick is an appealing prospect for several reasons. First, he has tremendous ball skills. His background as a wide receiver means that he has excellent hands and is skilled at going up and intercepting passes when in coverage. Second is his football IQ. Derion Kendrick has experience as a wide receiver in addition to playing some quarterback in high school, so he has firsthand knowledge of what the quarterback and receiver are trying to accomplish on pass plays. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has also praised Kendrick’s maturity and willingness to study film.
Third, when it comes to toughness and willingness to tackle, Kendrick fits the bill. He’s not afraid to dart up to the line of scrimmage and hit the ball carrier in the backfield. He’s racked up five tackles for loss in his career in addition to one sack.
Despite his potential, there are two big knocks on Derion Kendrick. The first concern is his speed. Kendrick got torched repeatedly by Chris Olave in Clemson’s playoff loss against Ohio State, and this might limit where Kendrick can play in the NFL. The second area that Kendrick could improve is his tackling technique. Willingness to make the tackle often isn’t enough at the next level, as ball carriers are bigger, stronger, faster, and shiftier. Despite these concerns, Kendrick will likely hear his name called in the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.