Anthony Kendall Bio
Anthony Kendall (born December 17, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback who is currently signed to the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 188 pounds, he plays on the defensive side of the secondary and is recognized for being one of the few players from a Division III program to reach the league in recent years. After going undrafted in 2023, he signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent, marking a remarkable debut for a player from Baldwin Wallace.
Kendall is widely noted for his unusual path to the NFL, having developed at a small college program in Ohio after receiving no Division I offers out of high school. His professional journey has included stops with the Tennessee Titans, the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, and most recently the Cleveland Browns. His career has become a point of pride for his college and for players pursuing professional opportunities outside the traditional Division I pipeline.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Kendall was born on December 17, 1999, in El Paso, Texas, and grew up in Florida. He attended Anclote High School in Holiday, Florida, before transferring to River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, Florida, where he completed his high school career. At River Ridge, he played football across all four years and was also a member of the track, basketball, and weightlifting teams, an athletic background that helped shape his physical development as a defensive back.
Coming out of high school, Kendall did not receive any scholarship offers to play Division I college football. Despite the lack of high-profile attention, he remained committed to continuing his football career at the college level. He chose to enroll at Baldwin Wallace University, a Division III program in Berea, Ohio, joining the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets and beginning a long development path in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC).
Path to American Football
Kendall’s route to the NFL ran through a Division III program rather than a traditional Division I powerhouse. He joined Baldwin Wallace in 2018 and spent five seasons with the Yellow Jackets, gradually building his résumé as a cornerback. Because the school competes at the Division III level, his performances were not regularly featured on national recruiting platforms, and he did not receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine or to any of the major college all-star games following his senior year.
His college progression was steady, with growing roles and increased production each season. By the time he finished his senior campaign in 2022, he had established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the Ohio Athletic Conference and a respected player at the Division III level. His performance at Baldwin Wallace’s pro day eventually drew the attention of NFL scouts, setting the stage for his entry into professional football.
Anthony Kendall Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Kendall’s early career unfolded entirely at Baldwin Wallace. As a freshman in 2018, he played seven games and recorded 23 tackles, providing an early sign of his potential as a defensive back. The following season, in 2019, he appeared in five games and posted the same number of tackles, 23, while continuing to develop his technique at cornerback.
In the COVID-19-shortened spring 2021 season, Kendall played two games and earned honorable mention all-conference recognition with 13 tackles. He returned to a more traditional fall schedule in 2021, playing seven games and recording 11 tackles. His senior season in 2022 represented his strongest year, as he produced 56 tackles and three interceptions, was named an All-American, and was recognized as the conference’s defensive back of the year.
Baldwin Wallace Breakthrough (2022)
Kendall’s 2022 senior season at Baldwin Wallace served as the breakthrough campaign of his college career. Anchoring the Yellow Jackets’ secondary, he led the team with 56 tackles and added three interceptions, finishing the year as one of the most productive defensive backs in the Ohio Athletic Conference. His performance that season earned him First-team All-OAC honors and Second-team DIII All-American recognition.
Those accolades helped place him on the radar of NFL scouts despite his Division III background. Following the season, he did not receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine or to any of the major postseason all-star games, but he impressed teams at Baldwin Wallace’s pro day, ultimately leading to an opportunity at the professional level.
Tennessee Titans Era (2023–2024)
After the 2023 NFL Draft, Kendall signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent, becoming the first player from Baldwin Wallace to earn an NFL contract since 2011. He made the Titans’ final roster out of training camp, and his appearance in Week 1 of the 2023 season made him the first Baldwin Wallace alumnus to play in an NFL game since 1987. As a rookie, he recorded 9 total tackles during his time on the active roster.
Kendall remained with the Titans into the 2024 offseason before being waived on August 27, 2024. He was re-signed to the team’s practice squad, providing a chance to continue developing within the organization. However, he was released on October 10, 2024, bringing his time in Tennessee to a close and setting up a quick move to another AFC organization.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024)
On October 16, 2024, Kendall signed with the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, joining another AFC franchise and reuniting with the broader AFC North division. The move gave him an opportunity to continue his professional development while remaining ready to contribute if called upon by the active roster. His practice-squad time in Baltimore served as a brief but meaningful step in his ongoing journey through the league.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)
On February 24, 2025, Kendall signed with the Cleveland Browns, securing a return to an active roster role and a fresh opportunity within the division. The move placed him with his third NFL organization and marked a new chapter in his professional career. He continued working toward an expanded role in the Browns’ secondary as the 2025 offseason progressed.
Kendall was waived with an injury designation by the Browns on August 5, 2025, a procedural step as teams shape their final rosters heading into the regular season. Despite the transaction, his signing earlier in the year underlined the league’s continued interest in his trajectory from a Division III standout to a pro-level cornerback.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining milestones of Kendall’s career came in 2023, when he became the first Baldwin Wallace alumnus to appear in an NFL game since 1987. He was also the first player from his school to sign an NFL contract since 2011, underscoring the rarity of his Division III-to-NFL transition. His path stands as a notable example for athletes from smaller college programs pursuing professional opportunities.
Anthony Kendall Career Highlights
College and Pro Highlights
Kendall’s most prominent individual honor came in 2022, when he was named a Second-team DIII All-American after posting 56 tackles and three interceptions in his senior season. He also earned First-team All-OAC recognition the same year, capping a college career that saw him grow from a freshman rotational player into a conference-defining defensive back.
At the professional level, his debut with the Tennessee Titans in 2023 marked the first time a Baldwin Wallace alumnus had played in the NFL since 1987, a milestone that placed him in the record books of his college program. The achievement reflected both his individual persistence and the broader reach of small-college football talent pipelines.
Anthony Kendall Family
Personal Life
Anthony Kendall was born and raised between Texas and Florida, having been born in El Paso, Texas, before moving to Florida for his high school years. He attended Anclote High School in Holiday, Florida, and later transferred to River Ridge High School in New Port Richey, where he balanced football with track, basketball, and weightlifting.
2025 Season Performance
Kendall’s 2025 season began with a fresh start after signing with the Cleveland Browns in February, providing him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in a new defensive environment. The offseason move positioned him within a Browns secondary undergoing change, and he worked to translate his practice experience with the Titans and Ravens into consistent on-field production.
He was waived by the Browns with an injury designation on August 5, 2025, part of the annual process of trimming rosters ahead of the regular season. As the 2025 NFL season continues, Kendall’s status reflects the ongoing challenge of carving out a long-term role as a cornerback who began his professional journey outside the Division I pipeline.