SLUH linebacker Kendall McNutt 'talks with his pads' loud and clear: No. 19

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Steve Overbey | Post-Dispatch

Kendall McNutt has a favorite place.

And it is not necessarily on the football field.

The St. Louis University High senior linebacker loves to spend every free hour at his chosen spot on the SLUH campus.

"You can always find him in the library," Junior Billikens coach Adam Cruz said. "Any time I need to look for him, that's where I go."

The 6-foot, 205-pounder feels comfortable in that type of laid-back environment.

The quiet, unassuming McNutt loves being alone with literature in his hand.

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"That's the way he's always been," explained his father, Robert Phillips.

McNutt is the No. 19 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown of the area's top senior college football prospects.

His peaceful demeanor off the field belies his aggressive, take-no-prisoners style on it.

"He's a real quiet kid," Cruz said. "He talks with his pads."

McNutt loves tranquility and is a person of few words. Cruz admitted that sometimes it is difficult to draw McNutt into a conversation.

SLUH senior wide receiver Zach Allen likes McNutt's style.

"He won't talk much, but when he does, it's important," Allen said. "And you better listen."

A returning first-team all-Metro Catholic Conference selection, McNutt has developed into a difference maker on defense. He has recorded 112 tackles with 25 assists over the past two seasons, including 25 tackles for losses.

The Hazelwood resident teams with standout middle linebacker Keenan Harris to form a deadly one-two punch. Harris is headed to the University of Missouri.

"(McNutt) is very good off the edge (defensive end) as well," Cruz said. "Ask him to do anything, and he'll do it."

That was never more evident than after his freshman year, when McNutt served as a running back and linebacker on the junior varsity level.

He was skilled at both spots, but Cruz felt he would see more time on the defensive side of the ball. As a running back, McNutt had a couple of big games and also returned a touchdown for a score.

While some players would balk at giving up the glamorous ball-carrying duties, McNutt was happy with the switch.

"It didn't take me long to figure out it is better to do the hitting than to be hit yourself," McNutt said.

McNutt rapidly grew into the outside linebacker position and recorded a career-best 12 tackles in his first start -- a season-opening win over St. Mary's as a sophomore in 2023.

He has been unstoppable ever since, and Cruz feels McNutt is getting better with each game.

"He's just such a hard worker, in the weight room, on the field. Nothing stops him from improving," Cruz said.

McNutt feels the progression in his game.

"I'm better now because I'm starting to realize how quickly the game moves, how fast-paced it really is," McNutt said. "My mental game is getting stronger, too."

McNutt's cousin is Marvin McNutt, a wide receiver who played at the University of Iowa and spent three years in the NFL with Philadelphia, Miami, Carolina and Washington.

A video game aficionado, McNutt announced his verbal commitment in June to Kent State University. He chose the Golden Flashes over Lindenwood, Miami (Ohio), Missouri State and Toledo.

He will get a challenge at Kent State, which has won just once in 23 games over the previous two seasons.

But first, he hopes to help the Junior Billikens have a big season. McNutt and Harris anchor what appears to be a stingy defense.

"We're looking to show what we can do against the teams that beat us the last few years," McNutt said.

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