“I’m a utility guy. That’s what they should put on the roster,” Kennedy said. “I couldn’t even tell you what number I’m wearing. I’ve got two different jerseys, two different helmets, two different shoulder pads. My first question to coach in the morning is if I’m wearing knee braces that day. I’m waiting for them to put me in at quarterback.”
Kennedy may be a little uncertain, but he’s not complaining. Indeed, the redshirt senior from Mt. Prospect, Ill., figures the more versatile he can be, the better.
“I’m really enjoying it,” Kennedy said. “I’ve been playing every position from tight end to tight end in the last couple weeks. It’s fun to play all those positions my senior year. I already know most of the offense, so it gives me that whole, clear view. When we run a play, I know exactly what everyone’s doing.”
Part of the reason for Kennedy’s return to the line was the concussion suffered by sophomore tackle Zach Lewis, also from Mt. Prospect, early in fall camp. Lewis practiced (on a limited basis) Tuesday for the first time in more than a week, and O-line coach Ed Stults believes he’ll be ready for OSU.
“We need him and want him to start,” Stults said of the 6-foot-6, 282-pound Lewis. “He’s going to be all right. He still knows what he’s doing. He took mental reps every day. He’s a football guy.”
The projected starting line includes Lewis at left tackle, Kennedy (6-5, 260) at left guard, senior JoJo Williams (6-2, 285) at center, senior Brad Bednar (6-4, 293) at right guard and junior Josh Harvey (6-5, 355) at right tackle.
Also in the current two-deep lineup are junior Jeff Tanner (6-3, 290), sophomores Marcus Matthews (6-3, 310), Sam Camiener (6-2, 284) and Trevan Brown (6-4, 295), and freshman Brandyn Cook (6-2, 291).
“We’re not going to redshirt him,” Stults said of Cook, who comes from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. “He’s going to be ready to play this year, and we’re going to need him to play. We’re still a work in progress right now.”
Kennedy was able to move back to the line because the RedHawks have some good depth at tight end, according to Stults. Kennedy had slimmed down to 248 pounds to play tight end.
“I played tackle two years around 260,” Kennedy said. “Right now, I feel good doing it.”
The No. 1 thing for Kennedy is that he’s healthy. He played every game without an injury as a redshirt freshman, but he’s been plagued by injuries the last two years.
“I’m not in the training room every day for four hours, so it’s different,” Kennedy said. “Knock on wood, this is the healthiest I’ve felt since freshman year. This is the best my body’s ever been just absolute shape-wise.”
Stults called Kennedy “a valuable asset” on the line.
“He’s kind of our ace in the hole,” Stults said. “He gives us depth and an experienced guy. He could go in right now and play any of those spots. That is invaluable.”
Kennedy, a marketing major, has 27 career starts.
About the Author