Cliffs Notes: Alabama linebacker transfer Kendrick Blackshire's has scheduled a visit to Texas for this upcoming weekend.
Rankings: Here's the industry breakdown of his 2021 HS rankings...
LSR: (5.8) Low 4 star, No.28 in Texas
Rivals: (5.9) Mid 4 star, No.122 nationally, No.19 in Texas
On3: (90) Low 4 star
247: (91) Low 4 star, No.221 nationally, No.34 in Texas
ESPN: (82) Low 4 star, No.236 nationally, No.41 in Texas
Resume: Played primarily as a reserve at linebacker for Alabama the last three year, while also playing on special teams. Recorded 16 total tackles, had a quarterback pressure, a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss for the Tide in 2023. Recorded three tackles in the game against the Longhorns in September. Played roughly 20% of Alabama's defensive snaps at linebacker early in the season, but that number dropped slightly as te season progressed. Pro Football Focus listed him with only 102 defensive snaps during the season and all but 4 of those snaps were in the box.
Evaluation: Blackshire is an in-the-box linebacker that Alabama people will tell you is more than solid in the box as a downhill, run-stuffing force who brings solid athleticism to the table, although not the most diverse set of skills to the table, as he was rarely used in coverage or as a pass rusher/blitzer. Plays with a high level of energy and attitude
Is he any good? Alabama folks seem to think he a pretty good player who provided solid depth at the linebacker position, although almost everyone seems to acknowledge that he simply might have never been able to crack the starting line-up for the Tide. It sounds like those that follow the Tide would have loved the veteran experience he brings to the table. It sounds like the return of starting middle linebacker Deontae Lawson was the final straw in Blackshire's Alabama career because he is looking to be a starter in year four of his college career and it wasn't happening with the status quo.
Why it matters: Assuming David Gbenda returns (no announcement has been made), the Longhorns have three linebackers with experience on the depth chart - Gbenda, Anthony Hill and Morice Blackwell. Yet, none of those guys are Mike linebackers. Are either Liona Lefau or Derion Gullette ready to start? If the answer is no, Blackshire would likely give them veteran depth at a minimum and possibly a starter at best? The move would seem to be a bit of an insurance policy.
What an Alabama source says: "Built like Tarzan, not sure if he hits like Jane? Definitely 1000000% better than Ben Davis. I think it would be a solid pickup and something to be excited about tbh. (He's) behind two NFL guys. He’s real good. Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell are first round type guys though. I think it’s a tough loss for Bama."
Rankings: Here's the industry breakdown of his 2021 HS rankings...
LSR: (5.8) Low 4 star, No.28 in Texas
Rivals: (5.9) Mid 4 star, No.122 nationally, No.19 in Texas
On3: (90) Low 4 star
247: (91) Low 4 star, No.221 nationally, No.34 in Texas
ESPN: (82) Low 4 star, No.236 nationally, No.41 in Texas
Resume: Played primarily as a reserve at linebacker for Alabama the last three year, while also playing on special teams. Recorded 16 total tackles, had a quarterback pressure, a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss for the Tide in 2023. Recorded three tackles in the game against the Longhorns in September. Played roughly 20% of Alabama's defensive snaps at linebacker early in the season, but that number dropped slightly as te season progressed. Pro Football Focus listed him with only 102 defensive snaps during the season and all but 4 of those snaps were in the box.
Evaluation: Blackshire is an in-the-box linebacker that Alabama people will tell you is more than solid in the box as a downhill, run-stuffing force who brings solid athleticism to the table, although not the most diverse set of skills to the table, as he was rarely used in coverage or as a pass rusher/blitzer. Plays with a high level of energy and attitude
Is he any good? Alabama folks seem to think he a pretty good player who provided solid depth at the linebacker position, although almost everyone seems to acknowledge that he simply might have never been able to crack the starting line-up for the Tide. It sounds like those that follow the Tide would have loved the veteran experience he brings to the table. It sounds like the return of starting middle linebacker Deontae Lawson was the final straw in Blackshire's Alabama career because he is looking to be a starter in year four of his college career and it wasn't happening with the status quo.
Why it matters: Assuming David Gbenda returns (no announcement has been made), the Longhorns have three linebackers with experience on the depth chart - Gbenda, Anthony Hill and Morice Blackwell. Yet, none of those guys are Mike linebackers. Are either Liona Lefau or Derion Gullette ready to start? If the answer is no, Blackshire would likely give them veteran depth at a minimum and possibly a starter at best? The move would seem to be a bit of an insurance policy.
What an Alabama source says: "Built like Tarzan, not sure if he hits like Jane? Definitely 1000000% better than Ben Davis. I think it would be a solid pickup and something to be excited about tbh. (He's) behind two NFL guys. He’s real good. Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell are first round type guys though. I think it’s a tough loss for Bama."
