Eagles plan to meet with South Carolina EDGE ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

The Philadelphia Eagles are always looking to bolster their pass rushing unit, especially through the NFL Draft. This year will be no different.

According to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, the Eagles are planning to meet with South Carolina edge rusher Kyle Kennard ahead of this year’s NFL Draft.

Pauline on the Eagles interest:

“Coaches ran Kennard through pass-rush drills and no coverage or pass-defense drills. I’m told he displayed terrific suddenness and explosion all morning long. Kennard met with the Patriots on Tuesday, and a meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles, originally set for Wednesday, had to be rescheduled.”

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Kyle Kennard’s rise to prominence as one of college football’s elite pass rushers was anything but conventional. The former Riverwood High School standout entered the recruiting ranks as a three-star prospect, lacking the immediate recognition of blue-chip prospects. However, his raw athleticism was undeniable — evident when he clocked a 4.72-second 40-yard dash at The Opening Regional.

Opting to develop his game at Georgia Tech, Kennard steadily progressed over four seasons, transforming from a situational pass rusher into a full-time starter. His move to South Carolina for his final collegiate season proved to be a game-changer. In his lone season with the Gamecocks, Kennard delivered a breakout performance, becoming the program’s first-ever Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner. His 2024 campaign was nothing short of dominant, amassing 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss en route to being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and earning consensus All-America honors.

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Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 248 pounds, Kennard showcased his pass-rushing prowess on the biggest stages, particularly in South Carolina’s matchup against Alabama, where he recorded seven tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. Across his collegiate career, which spanned 54 games (32 starts), he compiled an impressive stat line: 143 tackles, 37.0 tackles for loss, and 24.0 sacks. His ability to consistently disrupt opposing offenses was further highlighted by his 10 quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles in his senior year, along with two fumble recoveries.

Equally impressive in the classroom, Kennard earned First-Team Academic All-America honors, underscoring his discipline and work ethic. Now preparing for the NFL Draft, he has continued to impress evaluators with his explosiveness and suddenness off the edge.

The Philadelphia Eagles originally scheduled a meeting with Kennard for Wednesday but had to reschedule, reaffirming their strong interest in the standout pass rusher. With his blend of production, athleticism, and relentless motor, Kennard is firmly on the radar of NFL teams looking to bolster their pass rush.