Derion Kendrick reveals what it's like getting chewed out by Kirby Smart, Brent Venables
Former Georgia and Clemson defensive back Derion Kendrick has been around some of the greatest defensive minds in college football, and it’s certainly served to his benefit ahead of his entry to the 2022 NFL Draft.
Kendrick was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, and he committed to Clemson as the No. 3 cornerback in the 2018 recruiting cycle. There, he played under defensive coordinator Brent Venables — now the head coach at Oklahoma — before transferring to Georgia, where he played for head coach Kirby Smart. Kendrick has grown throughout his four years in college, and he turned in his most productive season to date in 2021, logging 41 tackles (24 solo stops) for the Georgia Bulldogs, while picking off four passes, breaking up three more and helping Georgia win its first national title since 1980.
Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, Kendrick spoke to the media at the NFL Combine about playing for both Venables and Smart — which, at times, meant getting chewed out by the two defensive-minded coaches.
“I had a defensive coach in Brent Venables at Clemson as well, so coming to that sideline, at practice — you mess up, and it was basically the same thing,” Kendrick said, explaining how players often received healthy criticism after a poor play. “You just take it in. Don’t take it personal, he’s just trying to make you better as a player.”
Derion Kendrick owns up to his off the field problems at the NFL Combine
Derion Kendrick has immense ability as a defensive back. However, despite his impressive athleticism, the former Georgia defensive back had an uneven collegiate career.
Kendrick ended his time on top, a national champion with the Bulldogs. But his road to a championship was paved with hard times. Prior to joining Georgia via the transfer portal in 2021, Kendrick was dismissed from the Clemson Tigers by coach Dabo Swinney.
Swinney was always complementary of Kendrick, even stating “I love DK” when asked about his dismissal. However, it wasn’t working at Clemson for the star athlete.
A bevy of speculation ensued, but it was believed to be a communication issue that led to Kendrick leaving the Tigers. Nevertheless, it worked out for the defensive back in the end. At the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, Kendrick owned up to his off-field problems that plagued his collegiate career.
“You know, teams are looking for the best,” stated Kendrick. “Off the field, mostly, so they don’t have to worry about you getting in trouble, and stuff like that. So yes sir, it has come up. And you know, I own up to my mistakes.”
Additionally, Kendrick stated he wants to show NFL teams that all his troubles are in the past, and he’s learned from everything that’s happened.
“Just to show them, you know, all that stuff is behind me,” stated Kendrick. “I made some bad decisions. Stuff like that. But just growing up as a person. Maturity wise. You know, communicating with my coaches over time. That’s some things I had to work on.”
As you can see, Derion Kendrick sounds like an athlete who’s matured through the process. It’ll be interesting to follow his journey at the NFL beckons for the former Clemson and Georgia star athlete.
On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this report