re: 2020 FB Recruiting & Roster

‘The best I’ve ever coached:’ Alabama LB commit Demouy Kennedy has SEC star potential

Theodore 2020 linebacker Demouy Kennedy has been committed to Alabama since June.

However, that decision hasn’t changed his work ethic one bit.

“There is no prima donna in him,” Bobcats defensive coordinator Ryan Little said. “With a lot of high-profile guys – even some really good ones I’ve been around – they have a little of that thought that they’ve already arrived once they’ve committed.

“Demouy Kennedy has none of that in him. He enjoys working. He knows he has a lot of talent, but he also knows he has to continue to work hard to capitalize on everything God has given him.”

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Kennedy, currently the No. 2 senior prospect in the state according to the 247 composite rankings and the No. 11 player in AL.com’s Southern 120, officially received his Under Armour All-American jersey at the Bobcats’ pep rally Thursday morning. He and Theodore will host Murphy tonight at C.A. Douglas Field.

“It’s a great honor for him,” Theodore head coach Eric Collier said. “His hard work has paid off. He works his butt off. He’s probably the hardest worker we’ve got. It’s also a great honor for our community. The kids in the area can see it and say, ‘Ok, if I work my butt off, great things will happen for me at Theodore High School.’ It’s a big win for everybody.”

The All-American Game is set for Jan. 2, 2020, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. It features 100 of the top high school seniors in the nation.

“I’m just truly blessed and humbled by this,” Kennedy said. “My main goal now is to get my teammates to a championship. It’s all I’m thinking about right now. Our work is not done.”

Despite being limited by a shoulder injury for much of the season, Kennedy still leads the Bobcats in tackles with 46. He also has six tackles for a loss and a pair of interceptions. He said his shoulder doesn’t bother him. His coaches have seen him fight through the pain.

“He’s played good when he’s been in,” Collier said. “His shoulder is a little banged up, so we try to get him out when we can. I feel like now he’s starting to get a little healthier. He played two series against Bryant, and we got him out. He’s had some time to rest and strengthen it, so hopefully he’ll be ready to go for the rest of the year.”

Theodore was idle last week following a 42-3 win over Alma Bryant on Sept. 20. The Bobcats, currently ranked No. 6 in Class 7A, face No. 2 McGill-Toolen next week.

Collier continues to compare Kennedy favorably to the ultimate former Theodore standout linebacker – current New York Jet and former Alabama standout C.J. Mosley.

“Demouy is probably the best athlete I’ve coached,” Collier said. “What makes C.J. so great is he is so smart. Look at him now. The Jets can’t line up right without him. Alabama couldn’t line up when he wasn’t on the field, and the Bobcats couldn’t line up when he wasn’t on the field. Demouy doesn’t have that same role. His role is a little different. But comparing the two – change of direction and speed and body control – Demouy is the best I’ve ever coached.”

Kennedy hopes to succeed at Alabama as Mosley did. He took an official visit to Tuscaloosa last week for the win over Ole Miss.

“I enjoyed it,” he said. “It was good to see the campus and the coaches and the players. I just love how they play football.”

Collier said he is not sure if Kennedy will be an immediate contributor for the Crimson Tide but described his future in the SEC as unlimited.

“He may need a year on the campus to get acclimated,” Collier said. “But, after that, he’ll be a starter for three years and get drafted if he stays healthy. I could see him leave college early. He has that type of potential in the SEC.”

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