Eric Kendricks
No. 50 – Dallas Cowboys | |||
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Position: | Linebacker | ||
Personal information | |||
Born: | Clovis, California, U.S. | February 29, 1992||
Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
Weight: | 232 lb (105 kg) | ||
Career information | |||
High school: | Herbert Hoover (Fresno, California) | ||
College: | UCLA (2010–2014) | ||
NFL draft: | 2015 / Round: 2 / Pick: 45 | ||
Career history | |||
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Roster status: | Active | ||
Career highlights and awards | |||
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Career NFL statistics as of 2023 | |||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Eric-Nathan Marvin Kendricks (born February 29, 1992) is an American football linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins. As a senior in 2014, he won the Butkus Award as the nation's top collegiate linebacker. Kendricks was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft and later played for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Early years
Kendricks was born to Yvonne Thagon and Marvin Kendricks, a former
Kendricks attended
Regarded as a three-star recruit by
College career
Kendricks played for the
As a 14-game starter as a sophomore in 2012, Kendricks was named honorable mention All-Pac-12 by the coaches, received the Donn Moomaw Award for Outstanding Defensive Player against USC at the annual team awards banquet and was an honorable mention academic All-conference. He led the Pac-12 in tackles with an average of 10.64, a mark which ranked 11th in the nation, becoming the first Bruin to lead the conference in tackles since Spencer Havner in 2004. Kendricks also returned two fumbles for touchdowns (Houston, at Washington State), blocked a punt (USC) and made his first career interception (USC). His total of 150 tackles was the most by a Bruin player since Jerry Robinson registered a school-record 161 stops in 1978. He recorded nine games with double-digit tackles, including in each of the last seven games of the season.
In Kendricks' 2013 junior campaign, he led the team in tackles for the second straight season with 105 tackles and ranked third in the Pac-12 in tackles average with an 8.8 per game mark. He was an honorable mention All-conference academic team. He was awarded the N.N. Sugarman Award for Best Leadership on defense, the UCLA Captains Award and the Bruin Force Award at the team banquet.
Kendricks entered his
College statistics
Season | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TfL | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
2010 | UCLA | Redshirt | ||||||||||||||||
2011 | UCLA | 14 | 3 | 77 | 52 | 25 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | UCLA | 14 | 14 | 149 | 91 | 58 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 63 | 2 |
2013 | UCLA | 11 | 11 | 105 | 64 | 41 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2014 | UCLA | 13 | 13 | 145 | 101 | 44 | 4.0 | 11.5 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Totals | 52 | 41 | 476 | 308 | 168 | 10.0 | 26.0 | 12 | 3 | 30 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 63 | 2 |
Awards and honors
- Second-team All-American (2014)
- Second-team All-Pac-12 (2014)
- Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP (2015)
- Butkus Award(2014)
- Lott Trophy (2014)
Professional career
Pre-draft
Kendricks solidified his status as one of the draft's top linebackers with an impressive performance at the
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle |
Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 0+1⁄4 in (1.84 m) |
232 lb (105 kg) |
31 in (0.79 m) |
9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) |
4.61 s | 1.57 s | 2.64 s | 4.14 s | 7.14 s | 38 in (0.97 m) |
10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) |
22 reps | |
All values from |
Minnesota Vikings
2015 season
The Minnesota Vikings selected Kendricks in the second round with the 45th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. The Vikings also selected former UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr in the previous draft, reuniting the teammates in the NFL. Kendricks was the sixth linebacker drafted in 2015.[19] On May 7, 2015, the Vikings signed Kendricks to a four-year, $5.15 million contract that included $2.67 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.00 million.[20]
Throughout training camp, Kendricks competed to be the starting middle linebacker against Audie Cole and Gerald Hodges. Head coach Mike Zimmer named Kendricks the backup middle linebacker to begin the regular season, behind starter Gerald Hodges.
He made his professional regular season debut in the Vikings' season-opener at the
2016 season
After missing the entire preseason due to a hamstring injury he suffered early in training camp, Kendricks returned for the season opener game to bring back his first career interception 77 yards for a touchdown and post six tackles, including one for a loss, in Minnesota's 25–16 win over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.[25] His interception return late in the third quarter gave the Vikings their first lead of the game at 12–10 and was the sixth-longest by a Vikings linebacker ever and the longest interception return in the NFL during a Kickoff Weekend since Harrison Smith's 81 yarder at St. Louis in 2014.[26] For his stellar performance in week 1, Kendricks earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, becoming the eighth different Viking to win the award under head coach Mike Zimmer.[27] In Week 5, Kendricks was stellar in coverage against the Houston Texans, as he gave up just two receptions on seven targets for 19 yards and broke up a pass according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).[28]
2017 season
In 2017, Kendricks started all 16 games, recording a career-high and team-leading 113 tackles.[29][30]
2018 season
On April 16, 2018, Kendricks signed a five-year, $50 million contract extension with the Vikings with $25 million guaranteed.[31] He played in and started 14 games. He finished the season with 108 tackles, two interceptions, one sack and a forced fumble.[32]
2019 season
In Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kendricks forced a fumble on tight end Zach Ertz that was recovered by teammate Anthony Barr in the 38–20 win.[33] In Week 7 against the Lions, Kendricks recorded a team high 12 tackles in the 42–30 win.[34] In Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, Kendricks recovered a fumble forced by Anthony Barr on Aaron Jones and recovered another fumble forced by Harrison Smith on Davante Adams during the 23–10 loss. During Kendricks' second fumble recovery, he suffered a quad injury and was forced to exit the game.[35]
In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers, Kendricks intercepted a pass thrown by Jimmy Garoppolo and returned it for four yards during the 27–10 loss.[36]
2020–2022 seasons
In Week 9 of the 2020 season against the Lions, Kendricks recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown by Matthew Stafford during the 34–20 win.[37]
On March 6, 2023, the Vikings released Kendricks.[38]
Los Angeles Chargers
On March 14, 2023, Kendricks signed a two-year, $13.25 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.[39] He finished second on the team in tackles with 117 through 15 games.
On March 5, 2024, Kendricks was released by the Chargers.[40][41]
Dallas Cowboys
On March 14, 2024, Kendricks signed with the Dallas Cowboys.[42]
NFL career statistics
Legend | |
---|---|
Bold | Career high |
Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | ||
2015 | MIN | 14 | 11 | 92 | 72 | 20 | 4.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2016 | MIN | 15 | 14 | 109 | 70 | 39 | 2.5 | 9 | 1 | 77 | 77.0 | 77 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2017 | MIN | 16 | 16 | 113 | 67 | 46 | 1.0 | 6 | 1 | 33 | 33.0 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2018 | MIN | 14 | 14 | 108 | 63 | 45 | 1.0 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2019 | MIN | 15 | 15 | 110 | 70 | 40 | 0.5 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2020 | MIN | 11 | 11 | 107 | 69 | 38 | 0.0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2021 | MIN | 15 | 15 | 143 | 81 | 62 | 5.0 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 11.0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
2022 | MIN | 17 | 17 | 137 | 87 | 50 | 1.0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2023 | LAC | 15 | 14 | 117 | 79 | 38 | 3.5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career | 132 | 127 | 1,036 | 658 | 378 | 18.5 | 57 | 9 | 133 | 14.8 | 77 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
Personal life
Kendricks' brother,
References
- ^ Crumpacker, John (October 29, 2011). "Kendricks brothers on opposite sides in Cal-UCLA". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014.
- ^ a b Foster, Chris (December 30, 2014). "Success is relative to UCLA's Eric Kendricks". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 31, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Eric Kendricks Biography". UCLABruins.com. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
- ^ "UCLA football: Linebacker Eric Kendricks commits to Bruins". Los Angeles Times. November 3, 2009. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ Foster, Chris (November 20, 2012). "Eric Kendricks' play at UCLA is no joke". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ Miller, Ted (June 12, 2014). "Kendricks ready to lead UCLA defense". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ Foster, Chris (July 25, 2014). "UCLA's Eric Kendricks could move into the spotlight this season". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ Terranova, Rob (November 28, 2014). "UCLA's Eric Kendricks sets new school tackle record". Pac-12.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ a b "#11 KANSAS STATE VS. #14 UCLA GAME NOTES". AlamoBowl.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015.
- ^ Foster, Chris (December 9, 2014). "UCLA Linebacker Eric Kendricks Wins Butkus Award". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "SN All-American team: Mariota, Cooper, Gordon lead way". Sporting News. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015.
- ^ Foster, Chris (December 11, 2014). "Do Pac-12 coaches need a do-over on UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ^ Klein, Gary (December 2, 2014). "USC places five players, UCLA one on All-Pac-12 first team in football". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2014.
- ^ Davis, Charles (April 1, 2015). "2015 NFL Draft prospect rankings by position". NFL.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Mayock, Mike (April 27, 2015). "2015 NFL Draft: Mike Mayock's top 100 prospects". NFL.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ Burke, Chris (March 30, 2015). "The SI 64: Sports Illustrated's top 64 prospects in the 2015 NFL draft". si.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ "Eric Kendricks Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ "2015 NFL Draft Scout Eric Kendricks College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ "2015 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ "Spotrac.com; Eric Kendricks contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos – October 4th, 2015". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- ^ "Eric Kendricks Named Defensive Rookie of the Month". www.vikings.com. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ^ Pantorno, Joe (November 6, 2015). "Eric Kendricks Injury: Updates on Vikings LB's Ribs and Return". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ 2015 PFWA All-Rookie Team
- ^ Eric Kendricks comes up big for Vikings
- ^ "3 Stats that Stood Out: Vikings at Titans". Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
- ^ "Eric Kendricks Wins NFC Defensive Player of the Week". Archived from the original on January 26, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
- ^ Vikings defense forces Osweiler into awful game
- ^ "Eric Kendricks 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "2017 Minnesota Vikings Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ Wesseling, Chris (April 16, 2018). "Vikings sign Eric Kendricks to 5-year, $50M extension". NFL.com.
- ^ "Eric Kendricks 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "Cousins, Diggs fly past Eagles in Vikings' 38–20 win". www.espn.com. Associated Press. October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ^ "Cousins has 4 TD passes as Vikings surge past Lions 42–30". www.espn.com. Associated Press. October 20, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
- ^ "Packers clinch NFC North with 23–10 win over Vikings". www.espn.com. Associated Press. December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
- ^ "49ers win 1st playoff game in 6 years, 27–10 over Vikings". www.espn.com. Associated Press. January 11, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ "Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – November 8th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
- ^ Peters, Craig (March 6, 2023). "Vikings Release Eric Kendricks Ahead of 2023 Free Agency". Retrieved March 6, 2023.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Sign All-Pro Linebacker Eric Kendricks". Chargers.com. March 14, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Release Linebacker Eric Kendricks". NBC Sports. March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Release Eric Kendricks". Chargers.com. March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Cowboys agree to terms with LB Eric Kendricks". DallasCowboys.com. March 13, 2024.
- ISBN 9781602396777. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
- ^ Kaduk, Kevin (February 28, 2020). "Leap Day: Athletes who were born on February 29". Touchdown Wire. USA Today. Retrieved September 25, 2020.