ERIE, Pa. - Former Mercyhurst University wide receiver/special teams star
Trevor Kennedy has received an offer from the National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will report to the team's mini-camp beginning Thursday, May 3.
"Right now, they want me to report to mini-camp on Thursday to make sure I'm not out of shape and that I've touched a football before," joked Kennedy during a phone conversation on Sunday evening. "I've worked hard since our season ended just for this opportunity and I'm very excited to be reporting. Hopefully they'll like what they see, and then we'll begin to work out specifics on a free-agent contract."
Kennedy more than likely will be looked at as a slot/possession-type receiver and as a kick/punt returner during his mini-camp workout with the Buccaneers. He excelled at both during his career at Mercyhurst.
The Akron, Ohio native and graduate of Firestone High School had a laundry list of accolades after his phenomenal senior campaign. Kennedy earned the school's first ever American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA) All-American award. He also was named a Don Hansen First Team All-American, was the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, an ECAC First Team All-Star at both wide receiver and return specialist, a Daktronics Second Team All-American, the PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, a First Team All-PSAC West selection at both wide receiver and return specialist, a Daktronics First Team All-Region selection at both wide receiver and return specialist, and a Don Hansen All-Super Region One First Team selection.
Kennedy was also one of 22 finalists, and the only wide receiver on the list of finalists, for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to Division II's most outstanding player. He led all of Division II in receiving yards per game, averaging 126.3 yards per contest. He set Mercyhurst single-season records for receptions (88), receiving yards (1,389), receiving touchdowns (15), and all-purpose yards (2,232). He held the previous records for receptions (75) and touchdowns (11), which he set during last season PSAC Championship year. His receiving yard number broke Ed Bailey's 11-year record of 1,102, and his all-purpose yardage figure shattered Richard Stokes' record of 1,540 back in 2007. He led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in all four of those categories and also led the conference in touchdowns scored by any running back or wide receiver.
Career-wise, Kennedy finishes second all-time in receptions with 194 (Ed Bailey had 201) and receiving yards with 2,758 (Bailey had 2,983). He tied Bailey's record with 28 career receiving touchdowns. He also finishes second all-time in all-purpose yards with 4,249, but first all-time on a per-game basis, averaging 118 yards over 36 career games.