In less than two weeks, four members of the 2020 Tennessee football team will anxiously wait for their names to be called by NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell. The 2021 NFL Draft, which begins on April 29 and concludes on May 1, will take place in Cleveland, Ohio.
One former Vol, in particular, sixth-year senior center Brandon Kennedy, could break into the NFL a little differently than the other UT draft-hopefuls. Listed as a late-round OL talent, Kennedy spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career with the Alabama Crimson Tide before transferring to Rocky Top for his final three seasons.
In Knoxville, the Wetumpka, Ala. native played in 22 games for the Vols, seeing action in every contest on Tennessee football’s 2019 and 2020 schedules. Six years of college classes later, Kennedy has earned three degrees, including two graduate certificates from UT. He was also a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Kennedy is a smart player. And as Vol fans know, he’s reliable in between the tackles on the O-Line. Luckily for Kennedy, most NFL teams make a point to provide their offensive line groups with plenty of depth heading into each season. Here are the five best landing spots for Kennedy heading into the 2021 NFL Draft.
5.) Kansas City Chiefs
A team with a variety of needs on the interior offensive line, the defending AFC Champions would be a nice fit for Brandon Kennedy. The Chiefs are not only thin at the center position, but they’ve found success with other former Tennessee football players in recent years such as Eric Berry and Dustin Colquitt.
As an NFL Draft prospect, Kennedy will have to sell teams on his abilities outside of the center position. He was consistent with his snapping duties at UT as we know, but the seasons he spent in Tuscaloosa, Ala. as a utility lineman could make the difference in his future in the NFL.
While Kansas City currently has three players listed on its depth chart under the center position, the inclination is that Andy Reid will likely move interior lineman around to fill open tackle positions as he did in 2020. Kennedy, a player that has experience with the ball in his hands and on either side of that responsibility, could fill in nicely as a depth player with the Chiefs.