Alabama football reporters were treated to in-state players to interview for the Iron Bowl.
Roydell Williams and Kool-Aid McKinstry were entertaining, but Tim Kennan III offered an interesting perspective.
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Kennan, a Birmingham (Ala.) native, came to the University of Alabama in its 2021 class as a four-star.
He has grown into a leader and is having a good season. Kennan dropped nearly 30 pounds in the summer, going from 340 to 315. The 6-foot-2 specimen earned the starting job at nose tackle in fall camp, pushing Jaheim Oatis to defensive end. Kennan has 32 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, seven quarterback hurries, and a pass breakup. He leads the defense for quarterback hurries and has the team playing for a Southeastern Conference Championship versus Georgia. Kennan dedicated his life to Jesus and it has matured him into the player he’s become. The 2013 Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium is the one Kennan remembers most.
He said the matchup left a bad taste in his sister’s mouth, but he feels he can change it.
“Well, growing up in Birmingham, I was a big Alabama fan,” Kennan said.
“The memory I have the most about the Iron Bowl was the Kick Six. It was about how sad my sister was. She was really angry and usually my sister has a delightful smile, but that was the first time I saw her really pissed.”
The 2010 Iron Bowl was the first one Kennan watched. He wanted Alabama to win, but Cam Newton had other ideas.
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“I really wanted y’all (Alabama) to win that one,” Kennan said to reporters. “At the time, I was trying to have some bragging rights being a kid and I was disappointed, but God gave me another chance to make it right.”
Kennan can put a smile on his sister’s face and be an impactful reason behind Alabama beating Auburn on the road.
He readies himself to have a dominant performance on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
