Prized Local Legacy Drew Kendall Set To Announce This Week
One of the biggest local recruits to date, offensive lineman Drew Kendall is reportedly set to announce his decision this week. The SIAA Top100 offensive lineman is down to four schools with Boston College and Michigan the leaders, but Duke and Stanford also sticking around as well. The son of legendary Boston College lineman Pete Kendall, the younger Kendall has been pretty quiet about his leanings, and many recruiting sites have struggled to predict where he may end up. Rivals recently had three of their writers, including their head Michigan writer switch their forecasts from Michigan to Boston College.
Here is the "Drew Kendall File" going into his decision. For the sake of this discussion let's talk specifically about BC and Michigan, as those two schools seem to be the favorites heading into his decision.
What Boston College has going for them.
BC has been pushing hard for the local recruit, and has a variety of factors pointing in their favor. First off is the legacy of his father. While Drew Kendall has said that really isn't factoring hard into his decision, it would be hard to say it didn't impact his decision at all. Second of all, Boston College has put together a rich history at offensive line, especially recently. Kendall will just need to flip on the TV this fall to see four future NFL linemen who will be drafted. Finally, Boston College has made him feel very important. He isn't just another endless four star recruit that will be replaced by another four star recruit next year on the depth chart. Kendall has a chance to make his mark and be something special at BC.
If he wants to be a big man on campus, on a team that could develop his position, Boston College will be his choice.
What Michigan has going for them.
Big time football. Looking at the school's recent success in the Bay State and it would make sense that Kendall would choose them. They have Jim Harbaugh, a very huge name in college football, and consistently have a Top 10 program in recruiting and in fan attendance. For high school kids that is all very attractive. Why choose Boston College when you can play at a school that feels like a big deal.
Frame: Long arms and fairly-wide shoulders. Wide midsection and decent bubble/thighs. Straight calves.
Athleticism: Plays with good bend in stance and gets out with urgency and purpose. Fluid athletic ability when asked to pull and trap. Decent to adjust to targets on the move. Tough at the point and brings his feet to collision points. Climbs to second level with solid pad level. Capable of hitting multiple targets.
Instincts: Takes a good bucket step in zone-blocking concepts to reach his man laterally. Can ace block and climb with consistency. Works with good vision and takes proper angles to seal backside ‘backers. Limited to pass-protection work, though uses a short set with solid accuracy in his initial gap-hand punch prior to his inside stab. Sustains and wins with leverage and toughness.
Polish: Plays left guard, where he executes zone-ace concepts, base blocks and long pulls to the edges in the run game and phone-booth fights in protection. Needs to add bulk and mass, along with strength. Could struggle with man on his head and versus power at the next level in the run and pass game. Likely will benefit from moving to center
AJ's Prediction for Drew Kendall: Boston College
Confidence: Low-Medium
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