In what was an outstanding season for Kyle Kennard, the South Carolina Gamecocks’ defensive standout, 2024 will certainly be remembered as one of the best in program history. Despite competing with several players who had extra games, the transfer portal addition finished the regular season as the SEC leader in both sacks (11.5) and tackles for loss (16) in just 12 games. His remarkable performance earned him the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player. Kennard was also named a consensus All-American, securing spots on first-team selections from the Walter Camp, Football Writers Association of America, and American Football Coaches Association, alongside second-team honors from the Associated Press and the Sporting News.
And now, Kennard has earned another well-deserved accolade.
On Wednesday morning, ESPN revealed its All-American team, and Kyle Kennard was named to the second team.
For context, here’s a look at the complete ESPN All-American teams:
First Team
QB: Cam Ward, Miami Hurricanes
RB: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State Broncos
RB: Cam Skattebo, Arizona State Sun Devils
WR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State Buckeyes
WR: Nick Nash, San Jose State Spartans
TE: Tyler Warren, Penn State Nittany Lions
OT: Kelvin Banks, Jr., Texas Longhorns
OT: Will Campbell, LSU Tigers
OG: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State Buckeyes
OG: Tyler Booker, Alabama Crimson Tide
C: Jake Slaughter, Florida Gators
All-Purpose: Travis Hunter, Colorado Buffaloes
DT: Mason Graham, Michigan Wolverines
DT: Walter Nolen, Ole Miss Rebels
DE: Abdul Carter, Penn State Nittany Lions
DE: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College Eagles
LB: Jalon Walker, Georgia Bulldogs
LB: Shaun Dolac, Buffalo Bulls
LB: Anthony Hill, Jr., Texas Longhorns
CB: Jahdae Barron, Texas Longhorns
CB: Nohl Williams, Cal Golden Bears
S: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
S: Caleb Downs, Ohio State Buckeyes
K: Dominic Zvada, Michigan Wolverines
P: Eddie Czaplicki, Southern Cal Trojans
Returner: Kam Shanks, UAB Blazers
Second Team
QB: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon Ducks
RB: Dylan Sampson, Tennessee Volunteers
RB: Kaleb Johnson, Iowa Hawkeyes
WR: Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona Wildcats
WR: Xavier Restrepo, Miami Hurricanes
TE: Harold Fannin, Jr., Bowling Green Falcons
OT: Wyatt Milum, West Virginia Mountaineers
OT: Josh Conerly, Jr., Oregon Ducks
OG: Willie Lampkin, North Carolina Tar Heels
OG: Bill Katsigiannis, Army Black Knights
C: Cooper Mays, Tennessee Volunteers
All-Purpose: Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh Panthers
DT: Rylie Mills, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
DT: Derrick Harmon, Oregon Ducks
DE: Kyle Kennard, South Carolina Gamecocks
DE: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State Buckeyes
LB: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama Crimson Tide
LB: Jay Higgins, Iowa Hawkeyes
LB: Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma Sooners
CB: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee Volunteers
CB: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana Hoosiers
S: Malaki Starks, Georgia Bulldogs
S: Michael Taaffe, Texas Longhorns
K: Kenneth Almendares, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
P: Alex Mastromanno, Florida State Seminoles
Returner: Rayshawn Pleasant, Tulane Green Wave
Once again, Kyle Kennard’s stellar performance on the field has earned him recognition, reinforcing his place among the nation’s top defensive talents.
