Kyle Kennard Named Consensus All-American

University of South Carolina Edge rusher Kyle Kennard has been named a consensus All-American, it was announced today. Kennard becomes the fifth Gamecock to be a consensus All-American in school history, joining George Rogers (1980), Del Wilkes (1984), Melvin Ingram (2011) and Jadeveon Clowney (2012). Rogers and Clowney were unanimous selections.

Kennard, a 6-5, 254-pound senior from Atlanta, Ga., posted 15.5 tackles for loss including 11.5 sacks during the 2024 season. Both marks led the Southeastern Conference, and his sack total ranked sixth in the nation. His single-season sack total also ranks second in school history behind Jadeveon Clowney’s 13.0 in 2012, while his tackles for loss total is the school’s fourth-highest single-season mark. Kennard was also credited with 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles.

Kennard, who was recognized as the Nagurski Trophy winner, has been named a Walter Camp, AFCA, FWAA and a Reese’s Senior Bowl first-team All-American and was a second-team selection by the Associated Press and Sporting News. He was both the AP and the SEC Coaches’ choice as SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was a first-team All-SEC selection by the AP, the Coaches and the USA TODAY. He is also a finalist for the Blanchard-Rogers Trophy and has accepted an invitation to play in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

2024 Consensus All-America

The following players were listed on the MOST first team All-America teams competing against players at that position only. To be selected a player must be named first team on at least two of the five selected All-America teams. Eight players were unanimous choices at specific positions by the five organizations used in the consensus chart — American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News and Walter Camp Foundation. Note: The five teams have a different way of listing the returner and/or all-purpose player. For the purpose of the Consensus All-America team those categories were treated as one position.

OFFENSE

WR – *Nick Nash, San Jose State

WR – Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

WR – Xavier Restrepo, Miami (FL)

TE – Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

OL – *Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

OL – Wyatt Milum, West Virginia

OL – Will Campbell, LSU

OL – Addison West, Western Michigan

C – Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State

QB – Cam Ward, Miami (FL)

RB – *Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

RB – Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

PK – Kenneth Almendares, Louisiana

Returner/All-Purpose – Travis Hunter, Colorado

DEFENSE

DL – *Mason Graham, Michigan

DL – *Abdul Carter, Penn State

DL – Kyle Kennard, South Carolina

DL – Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

DL – Donoval Ezeiruaku, Boston College

LB – *Jay Higgins, Iowa

LB – Shaun Dolac, Buffalo

LB – Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

DB – Caleb Downs, Ohio State

DB – Nohl Williams, California

DB – Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

DB – Jahdae Barron, Texas

P – Alex Mastromanno, Florida State

*-Unanimous first team selection