Kirby Smart Reels in Former Clemson DB Derion Kendrick to the Georgia Bulldogs
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ATHENS - Former Clemson defensive back Derion Kendrick is transferring to play for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs.
The breaking news ratchets up the Tigers’ opener with the Bulldogs in Charlotte, which is in primetime on Saturday night on the opening weekend of the college football season. Both the Bulldogs and Tigers are expected to be in the top five heading into that game.
Kendrick’s departure from Clemson (The State reported that a Clemson official “would not say why and would not confirm whether or not the senior’s departure was discipline related”) came after he was named first team All-ACC in 2020.
“Really not much to say about that other than he’s not with us anymore, but also to say I love D.K.,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told reporters on March 1, 2020 . “He’s a young man that I’ve always loved as a football player. He’s got a really good heart. He’s never been a disrespectful young man or anything like that. Just sometimes there just needs to be a change.”
Two weeks later Kendrick was charged with gun and drug violations. According to Rock Hill Police, Kendrick was sleeping with a gun in his lap. He was charged for simple possession of marijuana.
Both charges are considered misdemeanors under the state code of South Carolina.
Meanwhile, the transfer to Georgia means that the Bulldogs are adding the second plug-and-play transfer in the secondary in 2021. Former West Virginia Tykee Smith joined Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs in March. Smith was named to the Associated Press’s 3rd team All-American Team last year.
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