Dexton Kennedy

Dexton Kennedy

Kennedy in 2035
No. 52 – Minnesota Grey Ducks
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(2014-06-28)June 28, 2014 (aged 48) Culver City, California, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:	Culver City High School
College:	University of California, Los Angeles
ISFL Draft:	2037  / Round: 6 / Pick: 9
Career history
Minnesota Grey Ducks (2036 (S21))
Roster status:	Active

Dexton "Dex" Kennedy (born June 28, 2014) is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Grey Ducks of the Developmental Simulation Football League (DSFL).

Early years

Kennedy was born in Culver City, CA to Missy and Dean Kennedy. His father, Dean, was a high school standout in football at defensive end. He attended Stanford where he played all four years but chose to pursue a career in finance instead of football. Missy Kennedy was a 2-time All American in women's track and field at Stanford, where the two met. Dex was introduced to the game of football when his father began throwing around a toy football with him. He began playing when he was seven and showed passion for the game immediately. In middle school, he played three positions and even had some snaps at quarterback. When he was told to choose between running back, defensive end, and linebacker when he entered Culver City High School, he chose linebacker. Kennedy's athleticism allowed him to play multiple positions in one game, despite the fact he was listed at linebacker. Culver City's head coach once tasked Kennedy with playing corner late in a game in order to prevent one of the top receivers in California from gaining yards off receptions. Kennedy caused an incompletion on the first play and then picked off the opposing quarterback on the next. He also once played every snap in one game at the safety position, despite being 6'4" and 250 lbs. Culver City High School would win the Los Angeles County football tournament twice in Kennedy's tenure with the team.

College career

Kennedy decided to attend UCLA, despite his parents' desires for him to play at Stanford. Kennedy claimed that Los Angeles County meant too much to him to play for any other team in the state. The UCLA head coach desired for Kennedy to be redshirted his first season. However, neglections from the team's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach allowed Kennedy to play his first year. Kennedy would not start, however, until midway into the season when UCLA's starting middle linebacker tore his ACL in a home game against Utah. Kennedy entered the game in the 2nd quarter and finished with 9 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble en route to a 37-20 UCLA victory. Kennedy would go on to start every game for the Bruins thereafter. In the first game of his sophomore season, the Bruins would upset #3 ranked Alabama in a 27-23 victory. Kennedy would record 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections in the game. The Bruins would finish the year 10-2, a PAC-12 best, but would fall to Oregon in the PAC-12 championship and to Auburn in their bowl game. Kennedy was named a first-team All-American but claimed that it "means nothing" after the last two games. UCLA would rally, however, in Kennedy's junior year. They would once again have the best record in the PAC-12 at 11-1 and went on to beat Stanford in the PAC-12 Championship. UCLA went on to play in the Rose Bowl where they beat Kansas State 38-30. Kennedy would record 12 tackles, a sack, and a game-clinching forced fumble on Kansas State's final drive. Kennedy would, once again, be named a first-team All-American and a runner-up for the Butkus Award. Kennedy opted to declare for the NSFL Draft after his junior year.

College career statistics

Career statistics			Tackles			Sacks	Interceptions		Other
Season	Team	Games	Reg	TFL	Total	Sack	Int	IntTD	DefTD	FFum	FRec	PD	Safety
2033 (S18)	UCLA	7	46	7	46	4	1	0	0	3	2	8	1
2034 (S19)	UCLA	13	108	14	108	6.5	2	0	0	7	5	15	0
2035 (S20)	UCLA	14	116	14	116	6	3	1	1	9	3	17	1

Professional career

DSFL career

Kennedy decided not to declare for the DSFL Season 21 Draft and instead sign directly with a DSFL team. He signed with the Minnesota Grey Ducks but did not officially play until Week 7. In his debut game, Kennedy recorded 9 tackles, including a TFL, in a 23-16 loss against the Kansas City Coyotes. Kennedy would record 4 tackles, a sack, and a safety in his next game against the Tijuana Luchadores in a 20-18 loss. Kennedy's first win with the Grey Ducks would not come until Week 11 with a 27-14 win over the Norfolk Seawolves where Kennedy recorded 2 tackles with one TFL. The Grey Ducks would win their following game as well against the Portland Pythons 7-6, marking the first time the Grey Ducks won consecutive games that season. However, Minnesota would lose the following week against the London Royals 27-10, removing them from playoff contention. The Grey Ducks would finish the season 6-8. Kennedy, through 8 games, recorded 25 tackles, 3 TFLs, 4 sacks, one fumble recovery, and a safety.

Leading up to the NSFL Draft, Kennedy was praised for his speed and agility but criticized for his lack of power and occasional inability to finish tackles. Kennedy was also open about the fact that he refused to pick a favorite team or list of teams he would prefer, unlike many of his fellow draftees. Kennedy was selected 69th overall by the Baltimore Hawks in the Season 22 NSFL Draft. Kennedy would go on to say being drafted "where he was" was one of the most "fulfilling moments of his life."

Professional career statistics

Career statistics			Tackles			Sacks	Interceptions		Other
Season	Team	Games	Reg	TFL	Total	Sack	Int	IntTD	DefTD	FFum	FRec	PD	Safety
2036 (S21)	Grey Ducks	8	25	3	25	3	0	0	0	0	1	3	1

Achievements and records

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