Florida State Signs Experienced Pass Rusher Rylan Kennedy
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Florida State has signed former Texas A&M defensive lineman Rylan Kennedy via the transfer portal. Kennedy has two years of eligibility remaining.
In three years with the Aggies the 6-foot-3, 251-pound Kennedy played in 37 games while starting one game. He totaled 40 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He is expected to be an edge player and is looking to play a big role in second-year defensive coordinator Tony White's 3-3-5 defense.
Head coach Mike Norvell is tasked with replacing the 35 players he lost this cycle to the transfer portal. Norvell brought in 24 players, including two defensive linemen (Jordan Sanders/Texas St).
Last year Kennedy and the Aggies reached the college football playoffs. He played in 13 games and had 14 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. The highlight of his season was a career-high four tackles and a sack against UTSA.
In 2024 he played in 13 games and started the Las Vegas Bowl against the USC Trojans. On the season he had 20 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and one sack. He had four tackles against McNeese St, and recorded three tackles in both the LSU and Mississippi games. He was also nominated for Special Teams MVP at the team banquet.
As a true freshman in 2023, Kennedy played in 11 games. On the season he had six tackles including two tackles and a pass breakup in the Texas Bowl against Oklahoma St.
Kennedy is a native of Mansfield TX where he played his high school ball for Lake Ridge High School. As a senior, he had 61 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. He was a multi-sports star playing football, basketball, and track. As a high jumper, he has a personal best of 6 '6".
He’s projected to play the “Jack” position in White defense which is similar to an outside linebacker/edge. He’ll compete against fellow transfer Jalen Anderson for the position based on most reports. Kennedy's experience gives him the edge according to reports, and Norvell didn't bring these transfers in to sit on the bench.
When Florida State goes to training camp on July 30 Norvell is going to need to find passrushers to help support the four new starters they'll have in the defensive secondary. After winning seven games over the last two seasons, 2026 is a must-win situation for the seventh-year coach.
Florida State opens the season at home against New Mexico St on August 29.
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