Derion Kendrick Bio
Derion Rayshawn Kendrick is an American professional football cornerback who is active in the National Football League (NFL). After a decorated college career that included two College Football Playoff national championships, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 and has since played for the Seattle Seahawks before returning to the Rams and most recently signing with the Dallas Cowboys.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 205 pounds, Kendrick has built his reputation on versatility, having lined up at multiple positions on both sides of the ball. His journey from a high school star in South Carolina to an NFL defensive back reflects steady development and resilience through several team changes.
Early Life and Background
Derion Rayshawn Kendrick was born on August 24, 2000, in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He grew up in the same community where he would later become a local sports star, attending South Pointe High School in Rock Hill. The school has a strong athletic tradition, and Kendrick quickly emerged as one of its most dynamic players.
At South Pointe, he played both quarterback and wide receiver, showing off the athleticism and ball skills that would later help him transition to the defensive side of the ball. As a senior, he was named the South Carolina Gatorade Football Player of the Year after passing for 2,683 yards and 30 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,194 yards and 20 touchdowns. That same season, he was selected to play 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, Kendrick committed to Clemson University to play college football, choosing one of the top programs in the country. His high school production and national recognition made him one of the more intriguing prospects in his recruiting class.
Path to American Football
Kendrick began his college career at Clemson in 2018 as a wide receiver, appearing in 15 games as a true freshman and recording 15 receptions for 210 yards. Although he showed promise on offense, the Clemson coaching staff asked him to move to cornerback on an emergency basis before his sophomore year, and he impressed enough during the transition to earn a full-time starting job at the position.
In his first full season as a starting cornerback in 2019, Kendrick started 15 games and finished with 43 tackles, two interceptions and a touchdown, earning Second-team All-ACC honors. The following year, he was named First-team All-ACC as he continued to grow into one of the top defensive backs in the conference.
In February 2021, Kendrick was dismissed from the Clemson football program after a history of disciplinary issues. A few months later, he announced his transfer to the University of Georgia, joining another powerhouse program. In his lone season in Athens, he helped the Georgia Bulldogs win the College Football Playoff National Championship and was named Second-team All-SEC.
Derion Kendrick Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Derion Rayshawn Kendrick entered the NFL when he was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round, 212th overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 15 games and made six starts, finishing the season with 43 total tackles, 36 of which were solo stops, along with four passes defended. His willingness to play on special teams and his length on the outside gave the Rams a developmental corner to work with.
In 2023, Kendrick continued to rotate in the Rams’ secondary, building on his rookie experience and adding to his career tackle totals. His role expanded gradually as he grew more comfortable with the Rams’ defensive scheme under head coach Sean McVay.
Los Angeles Rams Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Kendrick’s most productive stretch with the Rams came during his first three seasons in the league. He became a regular contributor on defense and special teams, and his 6-foot frame allowed him to match up with bigger receivers on the outside. By the end of the 2023 season, he had established himself as a reliable depth piece in the Los Angeles secondary.
His 2024 season, however, was cut short. On July 25, 2024, head coach Sean McVay announced that Kendrick had suffered a torn ACL during practice, ending his year before it began. The injury forced him to spend the season on the sideline while rehabbing.
On June 13, 2025, Kendrick was waived by the Rams and then re-signed by the team four days later. He was waived again on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, closing his initial Rams tenure in a brief, injury-clouded stretch.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2025)
On August 27, 2025, Kendrick was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks, giving him a fresh opportunity in a new defensive system. He played in 10 games for Seattle, finishing with 5 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, 4 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles. His ball production stood out as he showed the playmaking instincts that had marked his college career.
Kendrick was released by the Seahawks on November 25, 2025, ending a short but productive stint in Seattle.
Los Angeles Rams Second Stint (2025)
Just one day after his release from Seattle, on November 26, 2025, Kendrick was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams, returning to the franchise that had originally drafted him. He appeared in five games during the regular season for Los Angeles and recorded three tackles as he helped the Rams down the stretch.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2026–Present)
On March 24, 2026, Kendrick signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, joining the NFC East franchise as he continues his NFL career. The move to Dallas gives him a new defensive environment and a chance to compete for a larger role heading into the next season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he is a defensive player rather than a driver, Kendrick brings a physical, press-man style to the cornerback position. His length, size and background as a former high school quarterback and wide receiver help him read routes and challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage. He has also shown the ball skills to produce interceptions and passes defensed when given opportunities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kendrick’s career is bookended by championship-level success, having won College Football Playoff national championships with Clemson in 2018 and with Georgia in 2021. In the NFL, his most notable moments include his two interceptions during the 2025 season with the Seattle Seahawks and his return to the Rams later that same year after a brief waiver cycle.
Derion Kendrick Career Wins
While individual win totals are not the primary measure of value for a cornerback, Derion Rayshawn Kendrick has produced steady statistical contributions across his NFL stops. Through the 2025 season, his career NFL regular-season totals include 102 total tackles, 19 passes defensed and 3 interceptions.
Los Angeles Rams Highlights
Kendrick’s first stint with the Los Angeles Rams produced his most extensive body of NFL work. In his 2022 rookie season, he played 15 games with six starts, recording 43 total tackles, 36 of them solo, and 4 passes defended. Across his time with the Rams, he developed into a trusted depth corner and a core special teams player.
Other Wins and Performances
With the Seattle Seahawks in 2025, Kendrick put together his most playmaking stretch as a professional, posting 2 interceptions and 5 passes defensed in just 10 games. He added three tackles in five games after returning to the Rams later that season, rounding out a busy 2025 campaign that included stints with three different teams.
Derion Kendrick Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
There is no publicly verified information about Derion Rayshawn Kendrick’s parents or extended family in the available sources. His documented background centers on his upbringing in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and his development at South Pointe High School rather than on a multi-generational sports lineage.
Personal Life
Publicly available details about Kendrick’s personal life, including marital status, spouse and children, are not confirmed in the sources reviewed for this profile.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was defined by movement for Derion Rayshawn Kendrick. After being waived by the Los Angeles Rams in late August, he was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks and turned in his most productive statistical stretch of his NFL career, highlighted by two interceptions and five passes defensed across 10 games.
After his release from Seattle on November 25, Kendrick returned to the Rams the following day and played in five more games, adding three tackles as Los Angeles pushed through the back half of its schedule. That late-season waiver cycle made him one of the more traveled players in the league during the year.
Heading into 2025 and the seasons that follow, Kendrick’s statistical foundation includes 102 total tackles, 19 passes defensed and 3 interceptions across his NFL career. His one-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys, signed in March 2026, sets the stage for the next chapter as he looks to carve out a larger role in a new defensive system.
