Player Spotlight: Deion Kennard

by JAMoney14 | 3 years ago | 0 Comments

INTERCEPTION! Kennard, Deion! He's heading to the 40, what- who- MY WORD WHAT A MOVE FROM DEION KENNARD! He's not stopping there! He's going to go the distance! 

 

In the 2020-2021 season, North Shore High School standout Deion Kennard was catching the eyes of scouts across the country for his incredible speed and quickness on both sides of the ball. A highly touted wide receiver at 6'2, 186 lbs, Kennard scored 16 TDs for the Mustangs his JR season of high school. 

 

Deion Kennard was born May 29th, 2003 and was one of 4 boys in a lower middle class family in southeast Texas. Immediately showing himself to be an incredible athlete, Kennard played football, basketball, and baseball as an elementary student at River Oaks Elementary, earning the city of Houston's "Award of Excellence" during his 5th grade year. Kennard played shortstop in the little league world series, being a focal point for the Texas East team. At just 12 years old, Kennard was batting on ESPN, streamed nationally to millions around the world. Before one game, Deion was interviewed and asked who his all-time favorite baseball player was.

 

His answer? Deion Sanders, of course.

 

Deion Sanders, a pro football hall-of-famer who had played decades prior to the young player's birth. Deion Sanders, a man who revolutionized the professional sports world. Deion Sanders... A man who the young Kennard thought he could be one day. 

 

Representation in common media is important and while the modern sports world has not had the same issues in basketball and football, to see the impact a player like Deion Sanders has on a 12 year old kid born long after his playing days were over is incredible. Not just as a baseball player, but for Deion Kennard's other passion... Football.

 

As Deion grew, his passion for football grew too. His connection and desire to be a revolutionary athlete like his hero, it grew as well. Deion continued to play baseball and football into his high school years at North Shore, earning recognition in the region as a top-freshman in 2019 in both sports. It was speed and playmaking ability that made him shine as a receiving weapon on the gridiron, while that same speed and sense of timing led him to set the school record in stolen bases his sophomore season. Even as a 16 year old, Kennard was thought to be a top prospect for the top baseball leagues in the world. Most expected him to be taken in the top 10 when he was a senior.

 

As a sophomore football player, Kennard saw most of his playing time at the receiver position, playing in the defensive backfield periodically. Making incredible plays for a kid his age, Kennard found himself lining up against the best senior talents in the state of Texas week after week, but no challenge was perhaps more impactful than the challenge he found himself lining up against in fellow Texan Dalton Ferguson. The standout senior from rival Westfield High School was amid an incredible offensive year for the then 8-0 Westfield team and found himself lined up against a smaller, less experienced sophomore in Kennard. Although Westfield would pick up the win 34-42, Ferguson would be held to just 5 receptions for 51 yards, meager for his standards.

 

Kennard on the other hand, pulled in 8 catches, including a 71 yard touchdown on a broken play for Westfield in the 1st quarter. The game, which would have been considered a major upset to the region in Texas, was a major eye opener to the area. I am not sure if you know this, but Texas takes their high school football very seriously. In fact, Kennard began to draw eyes from the top collegiate teams in the state of Texas. Over the next year, Astros scouts would sit shoulder-to-shoulder with Aggies scouts, trying to figure out what made Kennard special and more importantly, figure out how they could get that talent on their team.

 

Kennard continued to gain playing time at defensive back throughout the season, showing an other-worldly reaction time when bouncing back to the football in coverage. This ability allowed him to play all over the field, zone, man, anything. While the freak athletic abilities were clearly a major player, it was his instincts and timing that made him special on a level of his hero, another man named Deion.

 

Nothing changed throughout Kennard's junior season, as he not only continued to display impecable timing and athleticism in both sports. Despite most scouts showing interest in his abilities on the diamond, football scouts began to take notice leading into North Shore's final regular season game, once again against Westfield. In the early 2nd quarter, Kennard found himself lined up wide against a young receiver. A play like any other, Deion lured his mark into a false sense of security on a quick inside route, jumping it with expert precision for what should have been his 7th interception on the season. As the ball sailed through the air, Kennard planted his right knee into the turf and leapt forward. As quick as his hands cupped to receive the football, they quickly twitched down to his knee.

 

Kennard's arms seemed to double take, unsure of where to go, as they flinched back towards the football. It was too late, and the ball harmlessly bounced off of the turf just before Kennard's upper body followed suit. Instantly, Kennard grabbed at his knee and pounded the turf with his hand. Most athletes who have suffered such an injury will tell you that it's recognizeable almost instantly. Deion Kennard could do nothing except shake his head and slam his fist into the turf as trainers rushed the field to remove him. It was no secret, the non-contact injury was a completely torn ACL. Along with the ACL, Kennard completely blew out his MCL and PCL, which required a completely reconscructive procedure to fix. 

 

From that game, just one game away from the opportunity to win a state championship on a very good Mustang team, Kennard now found himself questioning his entire future. That is to say, they said  he should be questioning his entire future. At the young age of 17, Kennard was told he had suffered one of the nastiest knee injuries possible and the rehab on his right knee in particular was going to be long and arduous. 

 

That brings us to what should have been an incredible senior season for Kennard. For his brothers in arms, many of which he had grown up with since childhood, they had to take the field without him for the entire baseball season. After 7 months, he had seen his final high school eligibility begin and end before his eyes, unable to play a single game that final season. As the fall approached, although Kennard was clearly unhappy about losing the opportunity to play his final baseball season, most major league scouts still considered him a top prospect, even if he had fallen a bit on many teams draft boards.

 

After a disappointing start to the year, Kennard faced another setback. During another difficult rehab session, Kennard in near-practice shape, an over-reliance on compensating with the left leg caused the 18 year old to tear the ACL in his other knee, immediately disqualifying him from competing in his senior year of football. In a flash, on one play he had lined up for 500 times before, a play like many other, Kennard's final year of high school was spent on the sidelines. Hard enough to be forced into the dugout, but now the chain reaction had taken away both of his passions. The brightest future in East Texas was now in question.

 

Deion was the focus of regional high school sports coverage in the Houston area, with newspapers and local stations alike opting to plaster images of him on crutches, despondent in the bullpen in the winter and spring... In wheelchairs as football season came later that year. Deion could not avoid the ever-growing story about what some thought was the end of a promising career. 

 

Pieces just like this one. I am not innocent. The cover image of this story is not an accident, but it's also not a condemnation. 

 

Deion Kennard did not grow spiteful of the increasing pressure and never once asked for pity. For those covering his story, they thought it was a tragedy. For Deion, he saw it as a challenge. 

 

North Shore was successful in 2021, but not nearly as successful as they would have been with their star on the field. They came up short in the final game of the season, the negative momentum of which would carry into the postseason. Kennard suited up just one time during his senior year, and it was to walk arm-in-arm with his brothers for Senior Night. A night in which the same scouts who had been filling the stands just 2 years prior were now replaced with a swelling of emotional Houston area fans and family. 

 

Immediately following the conclusion of the season, Kennard was right back at work, now tasked with tortuous physical rehabilitation on a knee at 75% and another that was fresh off of a new surgery. Despite this, Kennard still remained committed to doing what he had wanted to do since he was a kid... He wanted to remain a 2-sport athlete and wanted to move forward to the college level to continue his rehabilitation. Most analysts in the collegiate world agreed that he would not see any kind of action as a freshman, but was still hopeful that the additional availability to top training programs would allow him to bounce back from two devastating injuries. 

 

In the majors, Kennard's stock had fallen, somewhat due to his intentions to attend college and continue to play football, but the injury concerns were there as well. He was projected to be selected in the 2nd round of the 2022 baseball draft. Before the draft, Kennard found that he was still highly-touted from some of the best programs in the world. One such team was what would become the historically legendary Auburn Tigers of 2022. On national signing day, most top-ranked seniors sat with their families and a smile on their face, selecting the collegiate programs they would spend the next 3-4 years. Kennard was forced to enter this scenario surrounded by his high school friends and teammates on crutches, a sight that had become all too familiar over the last 15 months. 

 

With a forced grin, Kennard lifted an orange cap, placing a Clemson Tigers hat on his head and pulling himself up to his feet to announce his intentions to return to action. 

 

There was no inherent fandom or childhood dream to play for Clemson, as far as we know. What we do know and what would become clear over the next several months, is that Clemson remained throughout the injuries, still very high on Kennard. As other teams started to creep away, with some dropping their scholarship offers entirely, Clemson doubled down... Relatively new head coach Terry McLeod not only supported Kennard's wishes to become a 2-sport athlete at Clemson, but also was prepared to commit the advanced training team at the program to a full rehabilitation. 

 

An unfortunate part of this plan included red-shirting Deion for the duration of his 2022 Freshman season, keeping him off both the field and turf for yet another year in an attempt to bring him back to 100% and not rushing the process. This is what was done as soon as it was possible. 

 

Still cautious about the recovery, Deion Kennard was passed on by every team in the 2022 baseball draft. 

 

Clemson saw the 2022 season as an opportunity to establish a new culture and a new identity and return to post-season prominence on a full time basis. Again, Kennard was forced to endure coverage of his injuries from the sideline, this time with a more national eyeball on him every step of the way. With more learning of his story and the very nature of the world we live in, criticism started to come down on the Clemson program for investing in a player who had not played a snap or taken an at-bat in over a year.

 

Still, Kennard put his head down and remained dedicated to not just returning to the same level he was at before, but to surpassing those incredible standards. There was no slow down in passion for Kennard, who continued to join the teams in both baseball and football, learning as much as he could during his time on the sideline. Towards the end of his first year attending Clemson, Kennard had dropped the crutches, was not only walking and jogging on his own, but had been practicing with the team in-limited physical action. He was expected to make a full return to action for 2023. 

 

While still taking things slowly, Deion would suit up for limited action during the baseball season, recording just 73 AB at a .289 avg. In a mid-season game against Georgia Tech, he made national news after recording 2 stolen bases on the same chaotic play, where he out manuevered a pickle situation between 2nd and 3rd base, a play that was highlighted on repeat across the world. The eyes of the nation once again opened at the sight of Kennard's athleticism. The same eyes that once looked on in pity at a kid who's future was in question now looked on in awe. Although not statistically outlandish, Kennard had returned from two near-career-ending knee injuries. The dedication to recovery and willpower to continue fighting shown through on each and every opportunity he secured that season. 

 

Kennard continued his careful recovery during and after the baseball season had ended and all eyes were now on the football field. 

 

Clemson was set to open their 2023 campaign against the Texas A&M Aggies. The East Texas native, now in his 1st full year of eligibility with Clemson, was greeted by several former teammates and friends on the Texas A&M team. This would be Kennard's first football game in 22 months. The emotion and size of the moment was not lost on Kennard, who ran onto the field in near-tears ready to put his body to the test. While Kennard was held out of many games as a precaution during the baseball season, the 2-year plan that the coaching staff had put into place was prepared to fully test the limits of Kennard's capabilities, playing him for 41 snaps at defensive back against Texas A&M. 

 

Kennard perhaps showed some hesitation himself, as he was beaten a handful of times early in the game, though he ended the 24-10 victory with 4 tackles and 1 pass defense. Kennard's size, quick thinking and athleticism still allowed him to move about the field, lining up primarily in the slot, though also seeing time guarding A&M's top target, Peter McLaughlin, and blitzing from the slot on several occasions. It wasn't mindblowing, but it was a start.

 

This start shifted into improvement week after week, both in the amount of time Kennard spent on the field as well as performance in those appearances. An impressive aspect of his game was on display in a week 5 loss to Jabari Swain and NC State, as the ball control style of the rival Carolina powerhouse forced the defense to be on the field for an incredible 74% of the game. Kennard would play every down in the game, displaying inhuman stamina for a player who - just months ago - was uncertain to play more than half of any game. Fellow Clemson standout and projected top 10 pick in the upcoming draft QB Nick Stein said "I know it's cliche, but he literally is the first one on our field and the last one to leave. I've heard his story and I'm pretty sure he's got something to prove to himself. It's crazy because nobody else thinks that. It's just a need for him to prove he's okay."

 

The stellar play continued throughout the 2023 Clemson season, culminating in freshman All-American honors in the ACC for Kennard. This unbelievable comeback also earned additional media coverage, with RZ Bleacher Report covering the entire comeback in a 10 minute YouTube video, released just after the season had ended. The chronicle was well-received and led directly into Kennard's 3rd year with Clemson, which would be his last.

 

As baseball scouts jumpstarted their efforts at the start of college baseball season, professional attention was now firmly back on Kennard, who was at full strength and was primed for a breakout season on the bags. Now no longer being limited, Kennard was slotted at 2nd in the lineup and spent time at both shortstop and 2nd base during the 2024 season. Increasing his average to an impressive .302, Kennard led the ACC in stolen bases with 39. An impressive feat considering the scare he ran into during that season.

 

During a late season contest against UNC, a pop-fly into left field casually fell into the glove of a Tarheel, but as the ball headed back to the mound, the crowd began to stir and come to their feet. As the camera snapped to the 1st base line, Kennard, with his hands up, was seen limping back to the dugout. A trainer quickly rushed to his side, but was gestured away. A reassuring look on his face, Kennard appeared to plead with his coaches that he was okay and it was only a tweak in his knee that caused him to walk it off. Despite this, he was removed from the game and would miss the final 6 regular season appearances for Clemson. The Tigers would earn a bid to the 2024 College World Series tournament, in which Kennard would play, but fell 10-4 in the 1st round to Vanderbilt. Kennard found moderate success in the game, including notching what would be his final stolen base in the 6th inning. 

 

As a redshirt Sophomore coming off an impressive first full season, Clemson was now firmly positioned to make a strong run, as QB Nick Stein, TE Jamie Ford, a powerful OL led by Rodd Northcutt and Brandon Chamberlain were firmly supported on defense by one of the strongest defensive back groups in football. Mario Howard, Juwon Strong, Jeremy Hendricks were led by the man himself, Deion Kennard. The Clemson Tigers asserted their defensive dominance throughout the season, boasting the nation's 3rd best pass defense. 

 

While very obvious that a major player in that was the ball control and west-coast offensive abilities of Clemson, they were able to hold opposing teams to just 171.4 yards per game through the air, intercepting opposing quarterbacks at a staggering rate of 1.5 times per game. The leader in interceptions was Deion Kennard, who had 5 on the season in total, but once again made headlines across the nation during a mid-season win against Wake Forest, in which Kennard intercepted 2 passes and brought BOTH of them back to the endzone for touchdowns.

 

One of the two, which was tipped at first by a defensive lineman, saw Kennard plant his feet from the slot corner position and scoop a near-downed ball inches from the turf with one hand, stagger to regain his balance, and high-step into the endzone. Clemson would win the game 34-16 thanks to the defensive heroics of the comeback kid. 

 

As the College Football Playoffs arrived, it was very clear that the Clemson defensive backfield had put together one of the scariest units for any quarterback to play against. 

 

Unfortunately, for the Tigers of Clemson, Nate Garland is not just "any" quarterback. 

 

Slotted in at the 3 seed, Clemson met another group of Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs, vying for a national championship berth. Across the field from the best pass defense left still playing stood someone who juxtaposed Deion in many ways. Nearly a mythical figure at this point in the hype train, QB Nate Garland of LSU was (and is) seen as the second coming of greatness at the quarterback position. Rushing for nearly 950 yards and throwing at an insane 69.1% clip, it was clear Garland could do it all. Even stronger on his resume, he had not missed a single game dating back to his days in pop warner (allegedly). A proverbial ironman at the sport's most important position, Garland is currently expected to go #1 in tonight's Red Zone draft. The Philadelphia Eagles are chomping at the bit to return to relevance and if anyone can do it, it's Garland.

 

During the game, Garland's greatness was on full display, as each attempt to smother his pass targets was met with a flash of lightning through a gap in the offensive line. Garland would end the game with 78 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, despite throwing just 1 through the air. 

 

Late in the 3rd quarter, with the game hanging in the balance at 21-24, Garland took a snap out of the shotgun on a 3rd and 9, made 2 reads, and decided to scramble. The impecable quickness and reaction time of Kennard popped up again, as he was able to notice the rush attempt and make a beeline towards the future #1 overall pick, attempting to meet him at the first down marker. Kennard took two explosive steps towards the ball carrier.

 

Those were the last two steps he would make as a Clemson Tiger.

 

Flash forward after the commercial break. A stunned Clemson fanbase watches on in horror. Nate Garland picked up 15 yards and a 1st down and is now kneeling in a circle alongside Clemson and LSU players alike. In the center of that circle, an orange figure emerged. Pulling all 6 foot, 2 inches of his frame vertical, Deion Kennard placed a towel over his head as he was helped off of the field by his trainers and teammates. The crowd and fellow players stood and applauded Kennard for his valiance as he reached the sideline. 

 

Images of Kennard on his back on the bench being tended to were seen by millions. After making an unheard of comeback to the field, not just as a player, but as someone most would consider the best defensive back prospect in football, Deion Kennard once again found himself under the targeted gaze of the lens. Now familiar with his story, onlookers held a familiar look of sadness and pity. The same one he was forced to endure after tearing both ACL's several years prior. 

 

Needless to say, Kennard did not return to the field and LSU would go on to win the dogfight of a game in overtime, 31-37. 

 

Immediate concerns were exhaled, as an MRI came back negative for any full tear in a ligament in Kennard's knee. The fears were not dashed for long, however, as a Clemson medical examiner diagnosed the now 21 year old Kennard with a degenerative knee joint disease known as Osteoarthritis, the same disease often attributed to those in their 50s and 60s. 

 

After having his hopes at championships for both of the sports he loved dashed before his eyes due to two separate smaller injuries and concerns around them, Deion was told he boasted the knees of a 50 year old man. The same knees that had earned him such praise in two-sports on the highest level of collegiate play. Kennard's future was once again in doubt, but he initially committed to return to Clemson for his 4th year. 

 

However, in December, just ahead of what would be his 3rd baseball season with Clemson, Kennard made the difficult decision to hand in his glove and cap, citing a full committment to his recovery, rehabilitation, and football. Kennard would still travel with the Tigers and join them in the dugout, but did not suit up for a single game in the 2025 season. 

 

Shortly after announcing his decision to sit out the 2025 baseball season, Deion Kennard announced his intention to forego his final 2 years of football eligibility for Clemson and declared for the 73rd annual Red Zone Football Draft alongside 4 of this defensive back teammates at Clemson. In what was seen as a joint decision, Kennard expressed his immense gratitude to coach McLeod and his committment to bringing him back from 2 devastating injuries. 

 

Kennard bounced back and forth between continued strength training with the Clemson staff and attending his teammates games throughout the baseball season. In March, Kennard would attend the RZ Draft Combine, showing minimal signs of trouble with his knees as he posted a 4.37 40 yard dash time on a strained ACL. His pro day would see an improvement in that several weeks later, as he improved his 40 time as well as his 3-cone agility time. The impression was left on pro scouts in a big way, as most expected Deion to miss the combine entirely. Even at 80-85%, Kennard was posting some of the best combine numbers of anyone in attendance.

 

On June 2nd, Deion was selected with the 39th overall pick by the Atlanta Braves in the 2025 major league draft. As of this post, he is not expected to report to the Braves system before next season begins. 

 

We now rest just hours away from another draft. A football draft that some analysts are saying is the most talent-heavy in the history of the Red Zone. It will be headlined by QB Nate Garland and a powerhouse group of interior offensive and defensive lineman. It will see over 200 fates decided in an environment that is potentially the hardest to judge in all of sports. An environment where the future of the Red Zone will be built for seasons to come.

 

That uncertainty is inherent. That uncertainty exists whether you're suffering from a degenerative knee joint disease or whether you're the most sturdy, resilient QB prospect in professional football history. 

 

For Deion Kennard, that uncertainty has never slowed him down before, and it damn sure isn't going to start now. 

 

TUNE IN TONIGHT, 73RD RED ZONE DRAFT BEGINS AT 9PM ET