Sep 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and San Diego Chargers offensive tackle Chris Hairston (75) dive for a fumble during the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
When Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks was at UCLA, I thought, “Here comes another one.” Yes, the younger brother of Mychal Kendricks, who’s balling with the Philadelphia Eagles, is on the way to the NFL. Then in 2014, his last year in school, he concluded his assault on college football with a bang.
He led UCLA with 149 tackles and a school record 10-plus tackles in 11 of his games. And for that, he was a 2nd-team AP All-American, 2nd-team All-Pac-12, a Butkus Award winner and Lott IMPACT Award winner. Genetics are genetics and Kendricks has the same ability to diagnoses plays quickly and attack run fits while avoiding blockers.
Also like his brother, he has good speed to go sideline to sideline and can cover man-to-man in space. Kendricks is leader with a high football I.Q. and character too so there’s nothing not to like. But probably because of his 6’0″, 235-pound size, the Vikings would end up taking him in the second round in May.
And in the beginning, it wasn’t pretty for Kendricks as the Vikings didn’t stop the run very well. But last Sunday, Kendricks looked like a player that’s starting to come around with 10 tackles, a sack and a pass defended. That’s a big chuck of his 30 tackles, two sacks the pass defensed on the season so it looks like he’s starting to get it now.
Sep 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and San Diego Chargers offensive tackle Chris Hairston (75) dive for a fumble during the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
When Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks was at UCLA, I thought, “Here comes another one.” Yes, the younger brother of Mychal Kendricks, who’s balling with the Philadelphia Eagles, is on the way to the NFL. Then in 2014, his last year in school, he concluded his assault on college football with a bang.
And in the beginning, it wasn’t pretty for Kendricks as the Vikings didn’t stop the run very well. But last Sunday, Kendricks looked like a player that’s starting to come around with 10 tackles, a sack and a pass defended. That’s a big chuck of his 30 tackles, two sacks the pass defensed on the season so it looks like he’s starting to get it now.