NFL’s Derion Kendrick Finds New Home with the Seattle Seahawks
Former extraordinary player from the Georgia Bulldogs College Football Playoff, now a notable NFL figure, Derion Kendrick, has found a new professional home. Most recently affiliated with the Los Angeles Rams, Kendrick’s affiliation has shifted to the Seattle Seahawks. Given the skills he displayed during his time at the Rams, it is likely that the Seahawks will be eager to put Kendrick on the field during the upcoming season.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, Kendrick earned his spot with the Rams as a sixth-round choice. Defying the odds customary to the draft round he was selected in, Kendrick swiftly made a name for himself. His rookie year saw several crucial defensive breakthroughs, including 4 pass interceptions and 43 tackles, an impressive achievement for a player of his draft status.
Further cementing his dynamic presence, Kendrick ramped up his game during the subsequent season. With enhanced defensive metrics, he recorded 10 pass breakups and 49 tackle events, showing his increasingly significant contributions to the team in 2023.
However, 2024 proved to be a devastating year for Kendrick. During a routine practice session in July, he suffered a tear in his ACL, a significant injury marking an abrupt interruption in his escalating NFL journey. The rehabilitation process sidelined Kendrick for a substantial part of the season, creating a marked absence from his defensive role.
Around mid of the year 2025, unfortunate news surfaced again when Kendrick was placed on waivers. However, the Rams didn’t completely dismiss him; a mere four days after he had been placed on waivers, they re-signed Kendrick. Nonetheless, in a follow-up event in August 2025, Kendrick failed to secure his position in the Rams’s 53 player roster, leading to his confinement from the team.
In the wake of these challenging circumstances, Kendrick is now hoping to draw a fresh breath of air at the Seahawks. He aims to leverage the stimulating new environment to rekindle his NFL career, much like he reshaped his university trajectory in the past.
Kendrick’s journey in the world of football began at Clemson, where he played from 2018 to 2020. Initially starting his career as a wide receiver, Kendrick was called upon for cornerback duties in 2019, a move that was to bring unforeseen positivity.
His performance in the cornerback role was awe-inspiring, leading to his official assignment as starting cornerback. Despite this promising progress, 2020 ended up being a tough year for Kendrick. He played a reduced number of games, only nine throughout the season, marking a notable regression in his college football journey.
Adding to his challenges, disciplinary issues led Kendrick to be expelled from the team in February 2021. Although a major setback for Kendrick, this led him to search for a new frontier, which he found in the form of a golden opportunity at Georgia.
Embracing the spirit of starting anew at Georgia, Kendrick sprung into action on his new field. He made impressive strides wrapping up the season with 41 successful tackles and bagged four interceptions in his name.
Among those four interceptions were two significant ones that took place during the Orange Bowl against Michigan. His sturdy performance was a significant factor that contributed to the team’s success at the event.
What followed, as a result of his and the team’s relentless determination, was an extraordinary triumph for Georgia. With Kendrick’s help, they secured their first national championship since 1980, in 2021. His journey serves as a testament to his unyielding dedication, despite facing a series of obstacles both personally and professionally.
As he ventures into the new leg of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, Kendrick is well aware of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Yet, his story so far underscores his commitment to excellence, regardless of the circumstances, and both he and his fans eagerly anticipate what’s next in store for this resilient athlete.