pick 212 … Derion Kendrick, CB

https://247sports.com/college/clemson/Article/Dabo-Swinney-dismisses-Derion-Kendrick-from-team-161626552/

Dabo Swinney dismisses Derion Kendrick from team

ByANNA HICKEY Feb 28, 2021

Clemson247 received official confirmation on Sunday morning that Clemson starting cornerback and senior Derion Kendrick was dismissed by Dabo Swinney. Kendrick missed multiple games during the 2020 season for disciplinary reasons and we’re told that it’s been much of the same behavior-wise for Kendrick in 2021. Swinney had enough. 

After Clemson’s win over Pittsburgh in late November in which Kendrick did not play, Swinney told the media that Kendrick was in the “love shack.” 

“We just didn’t play him today,” Swinney said. “Some people might say he’s in the dog house. I like to say he’s in the love shack. Just a little discipline. I love DK. He’s one of my favorites, actually. Just put him in the love shack this weekend.”

Thus in 2021, Clemson will field Mario Goodrich, Andrew Booth, Sheridan Jones, Fred Davis, Malcolm Greene, and midyear freshman Nate Wiggins at the position. 

Kendrick made the decision to return to school for a fourth year back in January in order to boost his 2022 NFL Draft appeal. It was a decision that was rather unexpected as most people anticipated Kendrick entering the 2021 NFL Draft.

He has started for the Tigers the past two seasons at cornerback and was slated to start again in 2021. He began his Clemson career at wide receiver before making the switch to defense after his freshman season. 

Per his Clemson Athletics bio on Clemson’s website, Kendrick entered 2021 having played a total of 1,354 combined snaps from scrimmage at cornerback and wide receiver in 39 career games (23 starts) and having been credited with 71 tackles (4.0 for loss), 12 pass breakups, three interceptions (including one returned 38 yards for a touchdown), one sack and one fumble recovery (returned 66 yards for a touchdown).

zn wrote:

This must be a case of the Rams “believing in their team culture.”

This is an older article, but nothing came up on the first page of a Google search for any problems while at UGA, so maybe he’s cleaned up his off field stuff a bit. I didn’t see anything about what he did, but I have to believe the Rams know. And every pick is a risk/reward kind of evaluation.

Getting thrown off of Clemson isn’t a good recommendation, but the Rams have good reason to believe in their culture, and the guy is going to be in the room with Jalen Ramsey.

Apparently the man can play a bit.

Ourlads

Three-year starter, Rock Hill, SC. Transferred from Clemson for the 2021 season. Has played on national championship teams at two different schools. Transitioned to corner from wide receiver in 2019. Fluid athlete with excellent athleticism. Movement skills are a strength as he can quickly pedal in off coverage and easily changes direction in lateral transitions. Maintains cushion and spacing on receivers and has a smooth turn and run. Closes space well and is rarely out of position. Shows ability in press man coverage with mirror ability and enough speed to stay in phase with most receivers. As a zone defender shows ability to balance multiple routes and read the quarterback. As a deep outside corner can lateral run quickly to close on a deep corner route from the inside. As a former receiver, shows hands for the interception and when in position can make plays on the ball. Quick to break on the play when in front. Willing tackler but struggles to take on a stalk block and is easily moved out. Struggles working against physical receivers in press. Needs to be more consistent when transitioning from speed in pedal to getting into a lateral run. He is vulnerable to turning a receiver loose in the deep outside. Some of that is speed and some is timing on turn and run. Gets beat over the top more than you like. Kendrick is a solid athlete but functional speed is questionable.  With his style of play he could project to a nickel in the right scheme. At Clemson he was an outstanding returner and could make a team as a sub package corner and special teams player. The tools are there but will have to play in the right scheme. 2021 stats: 41 T, 2 TFL, 3 PBU, 4 INT. Fourth/fifth round. (A – 31, H – 9 1/8, VJ. 31, SS – DNP).