Kendrick Kirby started watching more clips of Army football as recruiting picked up between the Calhoun (Ga.) offensive lineman and the Black Knights earlier this year.
Kirby’s ground-and-pound style of blocking seemed to be the perfect fit for Army’s flexbone rushing attack. His West Point visit reinforced that match last month, leading to Kirby’s announcement Sunday.
Kirby committed to Army over Memphis and Arkansas State. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound all-state lineman also was offered by Air Force and Marshall.
“(Army was) the first school to offer me in early February and the relationship I have built with their coaching staff has been incredible,” Kirby said. “Coach (Brent) Davis is my recruiting coach and he has done a great job recruiting me. I committed because Army gives me an opportunity like no other school can and I feel like I fit well there. I love the atmosphere and the brotherhood.”
Kirby’s announcement had a special meaning. It came on the birthday of his father, Charles.
“He’s always pushed me and supported me to be the best version of me I could possibly be,” Kirby said of his father. “He drove me to every practice and every game and contributed tons of time and money to me and my dream to play football.”
Kirby is the fifth Georgia commit of Army’s 2022 class. He played against Blessed Trinty offensive lineman Ryan Scott in the past and the two will meet again Oct. 8. Kirby didn’t know any current Army football players prior to his visit but said he bonded with fellow offensive lineman Connor Bishop and Sam Barczak.
“I got to hang out and cut it up with some players and that was probably my favorite part (of the visit),” Kirby said. “Being able to bond with the players definitely played a factor in my decision.”
2022 Army football commits (15)
OL Ned Brady, 6-4, 245, New Canaan (Conn.) HS: Other offers – Navy, Boston College, Rutgers, Syracuse, Buffalo
K Anderson Britton, 5-10, 155, Heritage HS, Ringgold, Ga.
OL Sam Dec, 6-4, 250, Nease HS, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.: Other offers – Navy, Air Force, Marshall, Appalachian State, Florida International, Georgia Southern, UConn, Western Kentucky, Georgia State, Colorado State, Troy, UMass.
DE Chase Fambro, 6-3, 240, Spalding HS, Griffin, Ga.: Other offers – Coastal Carolina, Hawaii
QB Sylas Gomez, 6-2, 185, Central Catholic HS, San Antonio, Texas: First offer – Army.
DL Kody Harris, 6-2, 295, Middletown (Del.) HS: Other offers – Navy, Air Force. Visited Army, Navy and Air Force.
OL Kendrick Kirby, 6-3, 270, Calhoun (Ga.) HS: Other offers – Air Force, Memphis, Arkansas State, Marshall.
DT Bridger Knee, 6-2, 250, Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn.: Other offers – Ball State, Utah State
S Jamir Reyes, 6-1, 180, Imhotep Charter, Philadelphia, Pa.
QB Glenn Rice, 5-11, 180, Lancaster (Texas) HS: Other offers – Air Force.
FB Hunter Roddy, 6-foot, 220, Chaparral HS, Murrieta, Calif.: Other offers – Navy
OL Ryan Scott, 6-3, 250, Blessed Trinity HS, Roswell, Ga.: First offer – Army
TE Toby Thompson, 6-4, 240, Cherokee HS, Canton, Ga.: Other offers – Air Force
WR Neo Vossschulte, 6-4, 190, Episcopal Academy, Newtown Square, Pa.
CB Curtis Whiting, 5-11, 181, Hackensack (N.J.) HS
TE Cooper Wilkinson, 6-3, 235, New Smyrna Beach (Fla.) HS: Committed during visit on June 6.
Commits by state: Georgia (4), Florida (2), Pennsylvania (2), Texas (2), California (1), Connecticut (1), Delaware (1), New Jersey (1), Tennessee (1)
Commits offered by Navy: 4
Commits offered by Air Force: 5
