Canes just bolstered their DL class with the addition of 4-star Anthony Kennedy (6-5, 330) from Little Rock, Arkansas

The Miami Hurricanes have struck gold in the trenches once again.

On Tuesday evening, Anthony Kennedy, a towering 6-foot-5, 330-pound defensive lineman out of Little Rock, Arkansas, announced his verbal commitment to the University of Miami. A consensus 4-star prospect in the 2025 class, Kennedy is ranked among the top 15 defensive tackles nationally and is widely regarded as one of the most physically imposing linemen in this cycle.

His decision gives Miami a much-needed elite anchor for their defensive front — and signals the program’s continued resurgence on the national recruiting scene under head coach Mario Cristobal and defensive line coach Jason Taylor.

Kennedy chose the Hurricanes over heavyweights like Alabama, LSU, Texas, and Arkansas, with Miami ultimately winning out due to long-term relationships and the vision Cristobal and his staff laid out for his development.

“Coach Cristobal kept it real with me from the start,” Kennedy said in his announcement video. “He told me how I’d fit in, how I’d be coached by greats, and how I could be part of building something big. I want to dominate up front, and I feel like Miami is where I’ll do that.”

The commitment is a massive win — both literally and figuratively — for Miami’s 2025 recruiting class, which has been gaining steam over the past two months. Kennedy becomes the second 4-star defensive lineman to commit in as many weeks, joining Georgia edge rusher Cortez Hall as part of a reloaded and dangerous defensive line unit being built in Coral Gables.

Kennedy’s size immediately jumps off the page. At 6-5, 330 pounds, he already has an NFL-caliber frame and is considered one of the strongest players in the South. However, what sets him apart isn’t just bulk — it’s the mobility and motor that come with it.

Scouts praise his ability to play low for his size, shed blocks with leverage, and chase plays down the line with surprising quickness. His combination of explosiveness, length, and brute strength makes him ideal for Miami’s aggressive 4-2-5 defensive scheme.

“Anthony Kennedy isn’t just a space-eater — he’s a disrupter,” said 247Sports analyst Brian Dohn. “He’s not the kind of nose tackle who just clogs things up. He’s the kind who lives in the backfield and puts quarterbacks on notice.”

His junior season film showed consistent double-teams and still-impressive stat lines: 58 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. He also blocked a field goal and recovered a fumble for a touchdown, showing his game-changing potential.

Defensive line development has become a cornerstone of Cristobal’s recruiting blueprint, and Kennedy checks every box for what the Canes want to do in the trenches. Miami has prioritized building from the inside-out, and Kennedy fits the mold of a lineman who can impact both the pass rush and run defense from day one.

With veterans like Leonard Taylor III headed for the NFL and younger players rotating in, there’s a clear path for Kennedy to be a major contributor early in his career. He projects as a three-tech or nose, depending on the package, and will likely be rotated in situationally as a freshman before taking over a starting role as a sophomore.

“Coach Jason Taylor’s background as a Hall of Famer matters,” Kennedy said. “When he talks, you listen. I trust him to turn me into the best version of myself — mentally, physically, and as a leader.”

Kennedy’s decision stings for the home-state Arkansas Razorbacks, who had made him a top priority throughout the spring and summer. Kennedy had unofficially visited Fayetteville multiple times and included Arkansas in his final four alongside Miami, Texas, and LSU.

However, sources close to his recruitment said Miami’s consistent presence, particularly from Cristobal and defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, gave the Canes the edge. The opportunity to live and train in South Florida — coupled with Miami’s defensive line tradition — made a compelling case.

“Anthony wanted to be developed and challenged,” said his high school coach, Jerome Lawson. “Miami showed him they were all-in on making him great, not just using him.”

With Kennedy now in the fold, Miami moves into the top 10 nationally in the 247Sports composite team rankings for the 2025 class. He becomes the 11th commitment overall and the fifth blue-chip recruit, continuing a strong June that has seen Miami win several key battles in the South.

He also adds another major piece to a rapidly improving defensive nucleus that already includes:

• 4⭐ DE Cortez Hall (GA)
• 4⭐ LB Mason Brooks (FL)
• 3⭐ DB Jamari Walton (FL)
• 4⭐ S Jaden Parks (NC)

Kennedy is expected to be a centerpiece recruit that helps draw other top linemen. He’s already close friends with 4-star DE Desmond Blake and 5-star Alabama DT Tyrese Green, both of whom are still considering Miami and have scheduled official visits for July.

Though committed, Kennedy said he still plans to take his official visits this fall — including a return trip to Miami for the Florida State game in October. He also intends to graduate early and enroll in January, giving him a head start on conditioning, playbook learning, and spring ball competition.

“I’m locked in with the U,” Kennedy said. “But I want to enjoy the rest of the process, visit a few more campuses, and make sure I soak it all in.”

Miami fans, however, shouldn’t panic. By all accounts, Kennedy is as firm as a summer pledge gets — and Cristobal’s staff has shown a strong track record of keeping elite defensive commits in the fold until signing day.

Anthony Kennedy’s commitment sends a message: Miami is serious about owning the trenches in the ACC and beyond. In an era where controlling the line of scrimmage separates playoff teams from pretenders, Cristobal has made defensive line recruiting a point of emphasis — and it’s paying off.

Kennedy is the kind of player who changes the tone of a locker room. He brings size, maturity, and SEC-level competition experience. But beyond that, he brings a mentality Miami fans have been longing for — one that matches the swagger and toughness that once made “The U” feared.

As Kennedy put it in his final words:

“I want to bring the storm back to Miami. I want quarterbacks waking up on Saturday knowing I’m coming.”

With the addition of Anthony Kennedy, that storm is getting a whole lot stronger.