Devon Kennard

Devon Kennard's Biography

Devon Kennard, born on June 24, 1991, is a former professional American football linebacker celebrated for his exceptional performance on the field. Kennard’s football journey began at Desert Vista High School, where he cultivated his skills and passion for the sport. As a sophomore, Kennard dominated the field with 81 tackles and seven quarterback sacks. This trend of excellence continued into his junior year where he achieved 111 tackles and 24 ½ sacks, leading his team, the Desert Vista Thunder, to the Class 5A Division I title game.

Sadly, during a victorious match against Chandler High School, Kennard suffered a severe injury, a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which caused him to miss the rest of the football season. Despite his injury, Kennard maintained a fantastic record, chalking up 16 carries for 132 yards with five touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 18 tackles and 1 ½ sacks. For his performance, Kennard was invited to play in the 2009 U.S Army All-American Bowl.

After being avidly recruited by more than forty schools, Kennard chose the University of Southern California (USC) as the next step in his vibrant football journey. At USC, he commenced his freshman year as a backup defensive end but quickly elevated to strongside linebacker. With 34 tackles, 3 deflections, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 forced fumble, Kennard made the 2009 Pac-10 All-Freshman first-teams of ESPN and Sporting News.

In 2010, Kennard occupied another position, middle linebacker, where he played in all thirteen games, had 72 tackles, including 7 for losses with 2 sacks. Subsequently, Kennard moved back to the defensive end position in 2011. However, in 2012, Kennard had to rest out the season due to a torn chest muscle. His return to the field in 2013 saw him performing at his peak – exhibiting stellar skill and agility as an outside linebacker. He graduated from USC, earning an undergraduate degree in Communications and a master’s degree in Communication Management, managing an impressive 3.8 GPA.

His hard work and determination saw him being picked by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. Despite being selected in the fifth round, Kennard made a name for himself at the Giants. In his first season, he had 43 combined tackles (35 solo), 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass deflection in 12 games and six starts.

In 2015, Kennard tackled 58 combined (37 solo), four pass deflections, and one interception in nine games and nine starts. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to injuries to his foot and hamstring. In 2016, he recorded 61 combined tackles, one sack, one pass defensed, and one forced fumble having appeared in 16 games and started 9 times.

Kennard’s career took a new turn in 2018 when he signed with the Detroit Lions. Recognized for his leadership and remarkable playing style, he was voted team captain by his teammates. During his time with the Lions, Kennard recorded a strip sack on Washington Redskins’ Dwayne Haskins but was later released by the Lions in March 2020.

Subsequently, Kennard signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. There, he proved to be a strong asset to the team, providing commendable performances such as his first sack of the season during the 30-15 win against the Washington Football Team. Kennard later contracted and then recovered from COVID-19 in the same year. Known for his dedication and teamwork, Kennard was voted the NFL Player Association representative by his New York Giants, Detroit Lions, and Arizona Cardinals teammates consecutively from 2016 to 2020.

In the 2021 season, Kennard occupied third place on the outside linebacker depth chart. He played in 15 games with three starts recording 24 tackles.

Kennard’s journey in professional football is a testament to the relentless power of determination, resilience, and commitment. Despite the numerous challenges he encountered, Kennard left indelible prints in the sands of American football, creating a legacy that transcends the football field. His influence extends to his teammates, coaches, and the numerous young players who see him as a beacon of excellence and tenacity.