Derion Kendrick

Derion Rayshawn Kendrick (born August 24, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs.

Derion Kendrick

Kendrick in 2022
No. 1 – Los Angeles Rams
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Born:	(2000-08-24) August 24, 2000 (age 24) Rock Hill, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	199 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school:	South Pointe (Rock Hill)
College:	Clemson (2018–2020) Georgia (2021)
NFL draft:	2022: 6th round, 212th pick
Career history
Los Angeles Rams (2022–present)
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
2× CFP national champion (2018, 2021) First-team All-ACC (2020) Second-team All-SEC (2021) Second-team All-ACC (2019) Orange Bowl (MVP) 2021
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles: 92 Pass deflections: 14 Interceptions: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Kendrick attended South Pointe High School in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He played quarterback and wide receiver in high school.^[1] As a senior, he was the South Carolina Gatorade Football Player of the Year after passing for 2,683 yards and 30 touchdowns and rushing for 1,194 yards and 20 touchdowns.^[2] Kendrick played in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Game and was a finalist for the U. S. Army Player of the Year Award.^[3] He committed to Clemson University to play college football.^[4]

College career

Kendrick started his Clemson career in 2018 as a wide receiver.^[5] As a true freshman that season, he played in 15 games, recording 15 receptions for 210 yards. Prior to his sophomore season in 2019, he transitioned into a cornerback on an emergency basis, but after impressing coaches, he moved to the position full-time and earned a starting job.^[6][7] In 15 starts he had 43 tackles, two interceptions and a touchdown.^[8][9]

Kendrick with Clemson in 2018

In February 2021, Kendrick was dismissed from the Clemson University football team. This came after a history of disciplinary problems.^[10] In June, he announced he was transferring to Georgia.^[11]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	Vertical jump	Broad jump
5 ft 11+7⁄8 in (1.83 m)	194 lb (88 kg)	31 in (0.79 m)	9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m)	4.79 s	1.60 s	2.77 s	31.0 in (0.79 m)	9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[12][13][14]

Kendrick was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round, 212th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.^[15] In his rookie season, he appeared in 15 games, of which he started six. He had 43 total tackles (36 solo) and four passes defended.^[16]

On July 25, 2024, head coach Sean McVay announced that Kendrick had suffered a torn ACL in practice, ending his season.^[17]

Legal troubles

On October 16, 2023, Kendrick was arrested in Hollywood, California for illegal possession of a concealed weapon. Police also found marijuana in Kendrick's vehicle.^[18]