Former Georgia Tech Defensive End Kyle Kennard Commits to South Carolina

Kennard was the leading pass rusher for the Yellow Jackets this season

A former Yellow Jacket has found his new home. 

Kyle Kennard, Georgia Tech's leading pass rusher in 2023, announced on social media today that he is committing to South Carolina and will finish his career playing for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks. 

🐔🐔🐔 New HOME ! #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/91L9ynDk0P

— K9 (@KyleKennard1) December 15, 2023

In the twelve games of his junior season, Kennard totaled 54 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one interception, and six sacks. Per PFF, he played 534 snaps and had a solid 71.6 overall grade. As the team leader in sacks the team in sacks, he provided consistent pressure off the edge and showed major progression from his sophomore campaign.

His game against South Carolina State in the second week of the 2023 season was especially dominant. Kennard had an interception, forced a fumble and recovered another all in the same game, for which he earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week. 

Kyle Kennard committed to South Carolina today / Nathaniel Caudell

Georgia Tech has lost eight players to the transfer portal. Running back Jamie Felix, wide receiver Juju Lewis, offensive lineman Wing Green, offensive Tyler Gibson, Kennard, defensive tackle Bryston Dixon, defensive end Malcolm Pugh, and cornerback Kenan Johnson. 

Georgia Tech has also gotten five new players from the transfer portal.

Keylan Rutledge, an offensive line transfer from Middle Tennessee State, announced yesterday on social media that he is committing to Georgia Tech. Clemson and Auburn are other schools that were involved in the recruitment, but Georgia Tech was able to hold them off and get Rutledge, who could challenge for the right guard spot that is going to be left open by Connor Scaglione, who is out of eligibility.

Rutledge was a starter at guard for the Blue Raiders, was on the CUSA Preseason Watch List, and was a permanent team captain for MTSU. Rutledge played High School Football at Franklin County High School in Georgia.

Warren Burrell was an SEC-level starter at cornerback for Tennessee before he got hurt and if he can stay healthy, this could be a huge get for Georgia Tech. They could look to keep adding to this position as well.

From his bio at Tennessee Athletics:

"Experienced cornerback who had a career year in 2021 as one of the Vols’ starters before missing the majority of the 2022 season with an upper body injury … Played in 40 games with 22 starts, all at cornerback, and has two years of eligibility remaining … Accumulated 89 total tackles, has nine PBUs, one interception and a fumble recovery to his credit … Plays with the SEC graduate patch after earning his degree in Dec. 2022."

At linebacker, Georgia Tech went and got a player from another ACC school.

Louisville linebacker transfer Jackson Hamilton announced on social media yesterday afternoon that he was going to be transferring to Georgia Tech. Hamilton played his high school football in the state of Georgia at Blessed Trinity Catholic and now will be coming back to try and compete for a linebacker spot at Georgia Tech next season. Hamilton has two years of eligibility left.

Hamilton played three years for the Cardinals from 2021-2023 and in his three seasons, he totaled 17 tackles and one pass deflection. At 6'1 220 LBS, he will bring athleticism to the position and I am anxious to see how he will fit in the defense next year.

Transfer linebacker Jackson Hamilton / Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

Yale transfer tight end Jackson Hawes announced yesterday that he is going to be transferring to Georgia Tech. Hawes was a second-team All-Conference tight end for Yale this season and last season. For his career, the 6'5 255 LBS tight end caught 35 passes for 375 yards and six touchdowns.

Ryland Goede, who played tight end for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2019-2022 then for Mississippi State last season, announced last night that he would be transferring to Georgia Tech. Goede, who played high school at Kennesaw Mountain High School, will be back in the state of Georgia and will be ready to contribute to the Yellow Jackets.

With the departures of Dylan Leonard and Luke Benson, Georgia Tech needed more experience at the position and they are getting that with Goede. He has one career catch for 18 yards. He was a four-star prospect coming out of high school according to 247Sports.

Best of luck to Kyle at South Carolina!

Georgia Tech Freshman Defensive End Malcolm Pugh Enters the Transfer Portal

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