BASEBALL

'To a new beginning': After one season at Texas, Dee Kennedy transfers to Kansas State

Portrait of Danny Davis Danny Davis
Austin American-Statesman
Texas Longhorns infielder Dee Kennedy (30) leads from second base against the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns during the first round in the NCAA baseball College Station Regional May 31, 2024, at Olsen Field in College Station.

While Texas has officially joined the Southeastern Conference, Dee Kennedy is staying in the Big 12.

Kennedy announced on Tuesday that he will transfer to Kansas State. The infielder and Fort Worth native spent his freshman year with the Texas Longhorns.

"To a new beginning," Kennedy wrote on social media. "Ready to see what my next chapter holds for me. I’m so excited to be part of the Kansas State baseball team. Thank you, Longhorn Nation, for everything."

Over 52 games and 134 at-bats during the 2024 season, Kennedy hit .209 and scored 29 runs. He contributed a walkoff single in a win over Air Force on March 19, and his ninth-inning homer was the difference in a 6-5 victory at Houston in April. In three games against the Kansas State team that he will be joining, Kennedy went 6-for-13 with five runs and five RBIs.

Kennedy made all 40 of his starts at second base. With his transfer, the graduation of third baseman Peyton Powell and the potential selection of both shortstop Jalin Flores and first baseman Jared Thomas in the upcoming MLB draft, Texas could have a completely new-look starting infield in 2025.