Derion Kendrick Bio
Derion Rayshawn Kendrick is an American professional football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 24, 2000, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, he has built a career marked by versatility, having lined up at quarterback and wide receiver in high school before settling at cornerback in college. He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs, winning two national championships along the way.
Kendrick entered the NFL when the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the sixth round, 212th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft. Across his professional career he has also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, establishing himself as a steady contributor on the defensive side of the ball.
Early Life and Background
Derion Rayshawn Kendrick grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he attended South Pointe High School. A gifted multi-sport athlete, he starred on the football field as a dual-threat quarterback, demonstrating the arm strength to throw downfield and the speed to hurt defenses with his legs. That versatility made him one of the most sought-after recruits in the region.
As a senior, Kendrick was named the South Carolina Gatorade Football Player of the Year after passing for 2,683 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 1,194 yards and 20 touchdowns. He played in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Game and was a finalist for the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award. Following his senior season, he committed to Clemson University to play college football.
Path to American Football
Kendrick began his college career at Clemson in 2018 as a wide receiver, appearing in 15 games and recording 15 receptions for 210 yards as a true freshman. The coaching staff had planned to develop him at receiver, but the path quickly shifted when the Tigers needed help at cornerback before his sophomore year.
Moved to cornerback on an emergency basis, Kendrick impressed the staff so thoroughly that the position change became permanent. He earned a starting role in 2019 and finished that season with 43 tackles, two interceptions and a touchdown across 15 starts. The success of that transition set the stage for a championship-level college career.
Derion Kendrick Career
College Career at Clemson and Georgia
At Clemson, Kendrick earned Second-team All-ACC honors in 2019 and First-team All-ACC recognition in 2020, cementing himself as one of the conference’s top young cornerbacks. He was part of the Clemson squad that won the College Football Playoff National Championship in the 2018 season.
In February 2021, Kendrick was dismissed from the Clemson football team following a history of disciplinary problems. Several months later, in June 2021, he announced that he was transferring to the University of Georgia. With the Bulldogs he won a second College Football Playoff National Championship that same season and was named Second-team All-SEC, closing his college career with two national titles across two programs.
Los Angeles Rams Rookie and Early Seasons
The Los Angeles Rams selected Derion Rayshawn Kendrick in the sixth round, 212th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft. He stepped into the defensive backfield as a rookie and played in 15 games, starting six of them. He finished the season with 43 total tackles, including 36 solo stops, along with four passes defended, showing dependable play in coverage.
In 2024, Kendrick’s season was cut short when head coach Sean McVay announced on July 25, 2024, that he had suffered a torn ACL in practice. The injury ended his year and required a lengthy recovery, but he returned to the Rams roster in 2025 as he worked his way back into the rotation.
Seattle Seahawks Stint
On June 13, 2025, the Rams waived Kendrick during roster reshaping, then re-signed him four days later. He was waived again on August 26 as part of final roster cuts before the regular season. The Seattle Seahawks claimed him off waivers on August 27, 2025, giving him a fresh opportunity at cornerback.
With the Seahawks, Kendrick appeared in 10 games and posted 5 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, 4 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles. His ball production gave the secondary a boost before the team released him on November 25, 2025.
Los Angeles Rams Second Stint
On November 26, 2025, the Los Angeles Rams claimed Kendrick off waivers, bringing him back to the organization that had originally drafted him. His return to Los Angeles offered a chance to rebuild his role in a defensive scheme he already understood, and he rejoined the cornerback room for the latter part of the 2025 campaign.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kendrick’s career is bookended by championship hardware, with College Football Playoff National Championship titles in 2018 with Clemson and 2021 with Georgia. He is also one of the rare players to have been named South Carolina Gatorade Football Player of the Year before later hearing his name called at the NFL Draft. On October 16, 2023, he was arrested in Hollywood, California, for illegal possession of a concealed weapon after police also found marijuana in his vehicle.
Derion Kendrick Career Wins
Derion Rayshawn Kendrick’s trophy case is built on team success rather than individual accolades. He is a two-time College Football Playoff National Champion and has collected multiple All-Conference selections across his college career.
College Highlights
Kendrick was a Second-team All-ACC selection in 2019, a First-team All-ACC honoree in 2020, and a Second-team All-SEC pick in 2021 at Georgia. He won the College Football Playoff National Championship with Clemson in the 2018 season and with Georgia in the 2021 season, making him one of the few players to win a national title at two different programs.
Professional Performances
In the NFL, Kendrick has produced consistently as a cornerback, highlighted by his rookie totals of 43 tackles and four passes defended with the Rams. During his time with the Seattle Seahawks in 2025, he added two interceptions and five passes defensed in 10 games, showing his ability to create turnovers in coverage.
Derion Kendrick Family
Personal Life
Derion Rayshawn Kendrick was raised in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the community that shaped his early football identity. Public information about his immediate family is limited, and details regarding a spouse or children have not been publicly verified.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a roller coaster for Derion Rayshawn Kendrick, marked by roster moves and the steady production he has shown whenever given the chance. He began the year with the Los Angeles Rams, was waived during the summer, re-signed and then waived again at final cuts before being claimed by the Seattle Seahawks in late August.
With Seattle, Kendrick was a productive rotational cornerback, picking off two passes and breaking up five others across 10 appearances while also contributing seven total tackles. His release on November 25 opened the door for a quick return to the Rams, who claimed him off waivers the next day as they looked to bolster their secondary depth.
Heading into the back stretch of the 2025 season, Kendrick has a clear opportunity to re-establish himself in the Rams’ defensive rotation. His combination of starting experience, ball production and familiarity with the Los Angeles system gives him a realistic path to a meaningful role as the season closes out.