Alabama vs. Georgia: Top 10 NFL Draft prospects to watch in National Championship Game
By Matt Melton
5. Derion Kendrick, Georgia cornerback
One of the more-intriguing draft prospects from this year’s National Championship Game is Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick, a Clemson transfer who has turned in a senior season that includes a career-high four interceptions for the Bulldogs in 2021.
It’s no secret that the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft will be loaded with multiple talented corners such as LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr., Cincinnati’s Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Clemson’s Andrew Booth, and Florida’s Kaiir Elam. While Kendrick you could certainly argue is in the tier just below that group, don’t be surprised if senior rises into the first round after his 2021 season.
An impressive and versatile athlete at 6-foot and 190 pounds, Kendrick actually began his collegiate career as a receiver at Clemson back in 2018, before transitioning to a full-time cornerback in 2019, a move that proved to be an impactful one for both the Tigers and Kendrick, and now with the Bulldogs in 2021.
Kendrick is likely cemented as a second round pick entering Monday’s National Championship Game, but could easily continue to rise with another impressive showing after picking-off two passes in the Orange Bowl against Michigan. It will not be an easy task though in a rematch against Alabama’s high-powered passing offense, an opponent that the Bulldogs secondary struggled against not too-long ago.