Rylan Kennedy, Florida State DL: the 2026 season story
Rylan Kennedy is a senior defensive lineman for Florida State (ACC). He ranks 19th of 1,709 defensive linemen in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every defensive lineman on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked defensive lineman, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Rylan Kennedy's strongest measure is sacks per game at 0.81, 11th of 892 (the average is 0.19). Even his lowest-ranked one is good: QB hurries per game at 0.32, 292nd of 892 (the average is 0.26).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His tackles per game, 3.3, ranks 167th among 892 ranked defensive linemen.
Against every defensive lineman
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked defensive linemen he sits, on average, in the 81st percentile for volume and 91st for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 8 games, Rylan Kennedy's best came in week 5 against Virginia and his quietest in week 3 at Alabama.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every defensive lineman on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Rylan Kennedy is 15th of 892 FBS defensive linemen and 5th of 101 in the ACC. Next up nationally is Santana Hopper of Colorado, 0.00 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. A player's track record is the best guide to whether a season like this one is likely to last. This is his best season by the Player Index so far, out of 3 we have.
Defensive linemen like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is TJ Bush Jr. of Minnesota.
