Kinnard one to watch in 09
While Leon Kinnard has done just fine as a quarterback in the high school ranks thus far, he will need to make a position switch to play at the next level. Kinnard knows that, and the 5-foot-9, 174-pound junior believes he has the skills to make the transition smoothly.
Last fall at Baltimore (Mary.) Loyola, Kinnard passed for nearly 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for another 500 yards and 10 scores. But he knows his future is at another position and seems to be just fine with that.
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He only got spot duty on defense, recording eight tackles.
"Every school is recruiting me as a defensive back," Kinnard said. "(The transition) is going to take a lot of work. Depending on what school I go to the transition might not be as hard. I think I can do it."
He certainly has the athletic ability, which should help him compensate for a lack of on-field experience.
Several schools are already deeply involved with Kinnard.
"First of all, Maryland, Syracuse and Notre Dame have come by the school to talk to my coach," he said. "We handed them some highlight film.
"Maryland invited me to their Junior Day, and UConn and Notre Dame did also. I'm going to the Rivals camp that will be at Rutgers. Maryland also invited me to one of their basketball games. It's against Duke so of course I'll be there."
Kinnard said he would like to hear from North Carolina and West Virginia in addition to the schools that have contacted him.
How would he list his favorites at this point?
"Well, Maryland is showing me the most interest so they would have to be one of them. Then I'd say Virginia, Rutgers, Boston College and UConn."