Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
In 2014, the University of Alabama football program signed the No. 1 and 3 ranked centers in the country in in-state standout Josh Casher (St. Paul's Episcopal School, Mobile) and J.C. Hassenauer.
A year later the Crimson Tide added Wetumpka High School's Brandon Kennedy, the No. 3 rated center in the country.
It's safe to say that the center position is in good hands for years to come.
The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder is already enrolled for the spring semester and is getting accustomed to life as a freshman.
"It's a great feeling being on campus and getting acclimated to how college works and how the athletic system works," Kennedy said. "Probably time management (is the hardest adjustment). They told me about it. They told me to get used to it, not having as much time as you wanted to do, but that's been the biggest thing."
Ryan Kelly is entrenched as the starting center, but depth was an issue there for Alabama entering last year's fall camp. Bradley Bozeman backed up Kelly, but now there are multiple options. Casher, who redshirted last year, has excellent footwork and is aggressive enough to play guard, and Hassenauer only played in one game (against Texas A&M).
All of this means that Kennedy has plenty of competition in front of him and guys from whom he can learn from during spring practice.
"I'd like to probably become a starter," he said on national signing day. "That would be one of the first year goals I am working towards. "I have to work hard and be better than the next guy."
Like Casher, Kennedy can also play guard.
"I played both in high school equally, but I'd say I am more comfortable at guard," he said. "Just because I haven't played Center in a year, I'd say guard is better for me since I've played it longer."
Kennedy grew up an Alabama fan in a household where his mom's allegiances were with the orange and blue of the Auburn Tigers.
Besides following the team growing up, Kennedy said he likes the style Alabama offensive linemen plays with under offensive line coach Mario Cristobal.
"I just liked the physicality of the offensive line," he said. "They were smart and they played hard. (It's) the development factor, that's what led me here. The guys that they put in the NFL, that was a big factor for me."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1735602#sthash.AlSdqHmF.dpuf
TideSports.com Senior Writer
In 2014, the University of Alabama football program signed the No. 1 and 3 ranked centers in the country in in-state standout Josh Casher (St. Paul's Episcopal School, Mobile) and J.C. Hassenauer.
A year later the Crimson Tide added Wetumpka High School's Brandon Kennedy, the No. 3 rated center in the country.
It's safe to say that the center position is in good hands for years to come.
The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder is already enrolled for the spring semester and is getting accustomed to life as a freshman.
"It's a great feeling being on campus and getting acclimated to how college works and how the athletic system works," Kennedy said. "Probably time management (is the hardest adjustment). They told me about it. They told me to get used to it, not having as much time as you wanted to do, but that's been the biggest thing."
Ryan Kelly is entrenched as the starting center, but depth was an issue there for Alabama entering last year's fall camp. Bradley Bozeman backed up Kelly, but now there are multiple options. Casher, who redshirted last year, has excellent footwork and is aggressive enough to play guard, and Hassenauer only played in one game (against Texas A&M).
All of this means that Kennedy has plenty of competition in front of him and guys from whom he can learn from during spring practice.
"I'd like to probably become a starter," he said on national signing day. "That would be one of the first year goals I am working towards. "I have to work hard and be better than the next guy."
Like Casher, Kennedy can also play guard.
"I played both in high school equally, but I'd say I am more comfortable at guard," he said. "Just because I haven't played Center in a year, I'd say guard is better for me since I've played it longer."
Kennedy grew up an Alabama fan in a household where his mom's allegiances were with the orange and blue of the Auburn Tigers.
Besides following the team growing up, Kennedy said he likes the style Alabama offensive linemen plays with under offensive line coach Mario Cristobal.
"I just liked the physicality of the offensive line," he said. "They were smart and they played hard. (It's) the development factor, that's what led me here. The guys that they put in the NFL, that was a big factor for me."
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1735602#sthash.AlSdqHmF.dpuf
