Kendalls confidence growing

Three games into his freshman year, Austin Kendall took over as starting quarterback on the Waxhaw (N.C.) Cuthbertson varsity football team.

"I was scared, obviously," he said.

That anxiety wasn't so obvious, actually. In fact, he played like a seasoned veteran.

Kendall completed 13 of his 14 passes for 3 touchdowns - his only incomplete pass was an interception - and 159 yards to lead Cuthbertson to a 28-7 win.

Not only has he held on to his title as starting quarterback ever since, but the class of 2016 pro-style quarterback has made notable progression in each of his three seasons. As a result, the Rivals100 four-star is currently the No. 27-ranked overall player in the nation and the No. 3-ranked player at his position.

Kendall led Cuthbertson to a then-program best 6-6 record during his freshman season. As a sophomore transfer, he led Charlotte (N.C.) Christian to a 12-0 record and state championship.

In 2014, he returned to Cuthbertson and led the team to the state semifinals. He threw for 4,461 yards on 60.4 percent passing, and tossed 49 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 519 yards, adding 9 scores on the ground.

"Over time, I just became more confident," said the 6-foot-3, 198-pound Kendall. "I started becoming more comfortable with making my reads and I was making better choices. Now I'm just trying to lead Cuthbertson to a state title."

Last weekend, Kendall was in the Atlanta area participating in the Rivals Quarterback Challenge Presented by Under Armour, where he earned the Perfect Spiral award.

Rivals.com Mid-Atlantic recruiting analyst Adam Friedman, who was at the Challenge, has tracked Kendall's progress over the years.

"He's very developed above the shoulders in terms of his football IQ," Friedman said. "He is very good at deciphering defenses quickly before the ball is snapped and knows where to throw it. He has crisp footwork and delivers the ball accurately.

"At the (Quarterback Challenge), he showed he has the arm strength to make all of the throws."

As a recruit, Kendall's not even a month removed from de-committing from Tennessee. He committed to the Vols in August, but decided it was best to take a step back.

"I committed early," he said. "At the time, I thought it was the right choice. But over time, many things happened and it became clear that wasn't the right fit."

Kendall has shifted his focus to a different SEC program, Kentucky, along with a traditional football powerhouse, Oklahoma. He finds the Wildcats and Sooners appealing in part due to a favorable depth chart.

"They didn't take a quarterback in '15," Kendall said. "That's big."

Sooners offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley reached out to Kendall soon after National Signing Day. Riley's connection to Kendall can be traced back to Riley's days as an assistant at East Carolina. Kendall thinks the Sooners can be a match.

"Their spread, pro-style offense fits what I do," Kendall said.

At Kentucky, Kendall notes his relationship with offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson as a plus. In addition, the Wildcats were Kendall's second choice before he committed to Tennessee.

Kentucky's appeal extends beyond the coaching staff and the possibility of early playing time, however. Kendall's older brother, Ryan Kendall, is on the team as a walk-on and will be a sophomore next season.

"Obviously if I want to go there it would be pretty cool to play with my brother," he said.

Kendall said he also hopes to get to Florida, where Doug Nussmeier is his lead recruiter, and to Auburn, where Rhett Lashlee is recruiting him. The Gators didn't sign a 2015 quarterback either, and Auburn signed just one.

With his commitment to Tennessee behind him and with another year of recruiting to go, Kendall admits the process has, at times, been a lot to handle.

"It's been tiring," he said. "At first, you're trying to get all of these schools to start talking to you."

Now his phone rings every day and often a lot more than once.

"That's when it can get tiring," he said.

Just as he handles quarterbacking his team, it's obvious he can also handle the recruiting process. While Kendall could be nearing a decision, he said he doesn't have a timeline.

"I'm going to have to wait for a feeling deep down inside," he said. "This is a four-year decision, so at the moment, I don't really have a timeline."

Click Here to view this Link.