Georgia Tech DE Transfer Kyle Kennard Meets With Mike Norvell, Jared Verse During FSU OV

Florida State is beginning to develop traction with multiple players who have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. The Seminoles hosted two potential options over the weekend with former Georgia Tech defensive end Kyle Kennard and former Pittsburgh defensive end Samuel Okunlola in Tallahassee.

While Kennard was only in town for a little over 24 hours, he was able to experience most of what Florida State has to offer as he searches for his next home.

"It was great," Kennard said to NoleGameday's Dustin Lewis. "I got to talk to a lot of the players and see a lot of the facilities. Florida State has a great place here."

Kennard has already spent four years at the college level so he's not one to get caught up in the bells and whistles. Instead, he wanted to learn more about the people at FSU.

"Just more about the people," Kennard said. "I've been in college for some time now so being around, you can hear whatever you hear from coaches. But being around the players, you get to hear the inside scoop of things. So I definitely enjoyed that part."

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The Seminoles have a history of producing standout defensive ends. Florida State has had seven defensive ends drafted in the first round, including former star Jermaine Johnson, who was selected with the No. 26 pick by the New York Jets in 2022.

"That's obviously something that was enticing to me," Kennard said. "Who doesn't want to be a first round draft pick? For the history they have with that, who doesn't want to be a part of that?"

FSU is expected to send another standout edge rusher to the professional ranks when Jared Verse moves on to the NFL following the season. Kennard was able to spend some time with Verse, with the two being able to relate since they're both transfers.

"He's a transfer as y'all know as well," Kennars said. "He was telling me about transferring into this place was one of the best decisions he's made. And how coach Norvell really helped him and coach Odell really changed his game."

What made Kennard want to visit the Seminoles after deciding to transfer from Georgia Tech?

"Odell Haggins played a big part in that. I've heard so much about the guy," Kennard said. "I know him. I know how well-respected he is. Just someone that can develop my guy and take me to the next level, who better? JP as well."

The Georgia native was able to have extensive conversations with defensive ends coach John Papuchis throughout the trip. There were a couple of qualities about the veteran assistant that stood out.

"He's a guy," Kennard said. "I just like the freedom he allows his edge guys to play with across the edge, how he has a plan for them, and how technical he is with his coaching."

Prior to departing from Florida State on Sunday afternoon, Kennard sat down with head coach Mike Norvell for a meeting in his office. Norvell expressed that he can help him continue to grow.

"He basically told me he's interested in me, obviously, or I wouldn't be here. At the end of the day, it's about Florida State," Kennard said. "He was just telling me Florida State is the best place to be for me to be, to grow, and develop my game as a player. And he feels like he's the coach that can do that for me."

Moving forward, Kennard is planning to take a couple of more visits, though he didn't want to name the schools that are in contention for him. The Seminoles seem to be sitting in a good position coming out of his first official visit.

"I have a couple more visits lined up and then I'm going to make a decision but Florida State is definitely a big school for me," Kennard said.

Kennard is hoping to make a decision sooner rather than later. That could come as quickly as the next week.

"I don't have a timeline, not for real," Kennard said. "I'm trying to make it a little bit sooner rather than later. I don't know, maybe a week or so."

The 6-foot-5, 238-pound defensive end is regarded as the No. 47 overall prospect and the No. 5 EDGE in the current transfer portal cycle.

Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the 2023 season.

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