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So I was browsing through my Twitter feed, getting my daily Twitter fix till my eyes gleamed on a Tweet by USC middle linebacker Devon Kennard that read:
Next time I touch the field it looks like I'm going to be coming off the edge again... Uhhh ooooo
Quickly, my brain cells exercised to provide two thoughts. One being if the USC coaches approached Kennard and asked him that he will be moved from middle linebacker to defensive end, the other thought if he would be moving to strong side linebacker.
Two years ago, Kennard came to USC as a highly touted defensive end prospect. Because of his size and athleticism, former USC head coach Pete Carroll moved Kennard from the position he had been playing in his whole high school football career to outside linebacker. A questionable move, but USC had Everson Griffin and then red-shirt freshman Nick Perry start at weak-side defensive end. Both Perry and Griffen combined for 16 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss in 2009, so Kennard looked to be housed in his linebacker position.
In 2010, Kennard was inconsistent in Monte Kiffin's defense and was exposed at times, but battled through injuries in the second half of the season. Kennard had hip surgery in the off-season and missed all of spring practice, but will be ready for the Fall.
With the lack of depth and talent in the weak-side defensive end position, maybe the current coaching staff believe Kennard would fine greener pastures in that position. With some impressive spring performances by linebackers Will Andrew and Hayes Pullard, along with the number of linebackers coming in from the last signing class, it would make sense if Kennard is moved. Currently, Kennard weighs at 250 pounds, which is the typical weight for an NFL middle linebacker and enough for a college sized weak-side defensive end.
USC needs some serious pass rush and a healthy Kennard could potentially provide exactly that.