Bad News for Former Tiger in the NFL

Bad news for a former Clemson player in the NFL.

Former Tiger and Georgia Bulldog Derion Kendrick has a torn ACL.

The Los Angeles Rams cornerback tore the ACL in practice Wednesday and will have season-ending surgery.

“Unfortunately, Derion Kendrick did get his ACL yesterday,” Rams head coach Sean McVay told the media Thursday, via ESPN . “I’m really proud of the way that he’s worked. He’s continued to really mature in a lot of different ways, and if there’s one thing you know about this guy, he can handle setbacks. He’ll have a lot of support from his teammates and coaches, and he’ll attack the rehab.”

Kendrick was selected by the Rams in the sixth round (No. 212 overall pick) of the 2022 NFL Draft. Last season, he started 12 games while posting 10 pass breakups and an interception to go with 49 tackles.

The Rock Hill native spent three seasons (2018-20) at Clemson before playing his final college season at Georgia in 2021, when he had 41 tackles and a team-high four interceptions for the Bulldogs.

Kendrick was a two-year starting corner at Clemson after making the move from receiver after his freshman season. He was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2020 before being dismissed from the team shortly after that season.

–Photo courtesy Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports