In two excellent seasons at BYU, linebacker Jack Kelly performed so effectively that new Cougars defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga referred to as the Kearns High product and Weber State switch “one of the best linebackers in BYU history.”
That’s excessive reward, contemplating that Poppinga himself performed linebacker for BYU again in 2006 and 2007 after transferring to Provo from Utah State. Also, NFL stars Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Van Noy of the Baltimore Ravens and Sione Takitaki of the Minnesota Vikings performed the place at BYU.
“It is too early (to predict) where I will go. The whole process has been surreal. But through it all, I have been blessed. I will just keep my faith in God, knowing that everything happens for a reason. I will just live it up while I can.”
— former BYU lineback Jack Kelly
Now it’s Jack Kelly’s flip to point out what he can do within the NFL.
The burly, 6-foot-2, 242-pound first-team All-Big 12 performer almost certainly be the first BYU player taken in the NFL draft, which begins Thursday in Pittsburgh. Kelly fairly presumably may very well be the one BYU participant drafted, after the varsity was shut out of the draft final yr for the primary time since 2020.
The first spherical is Thursday, whereas rounds two and three can be held Friday and rounds 4 by seven can be held Saturday. BYU’s different high draft potentialities are tight end Carsen Ryan, receiver Chase Roberts and cornerback Mory Bamba, who, like Kelly, actually helped himself at BYU’s professional day.
Most mock drafts have Kelly going wherever from late third spherical (Chad Reuter of NFL.com) to the New England Patriots to late sixth spherical (USA Today/CBS Sports) to quite a lot of groups.
One of essentially the most preeminent mock draft authors, Dane Brugler of The Athletic, says Kelly might go within the fourth spherical, No. 135 general, to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That can be attention-grabbing, contemplating that the draft is within the Steel City this yr. Kelly definitely has that hard-nosed and gritty toughness for which the franchise is thought. In different phrases, he’s bought slightly little bit of Jack Lambert in him, based on Poppinga.
“He’s so dynamic and instinctive, and one of the best players I’ve ever seen closing in on the football in space, which I think is going to translate directly into the NFL,” Poppinga stated. “I think he’s going to be a guy that’s going to be able to do multiple things, a guy like Kyle Van Noy that can rush off the edge and play in the box.”
At BYU’s professional day final month, Kelly displayed that versatility in entrance of representatives from each NFL staff, working by drills in all three positions to showcase his dashing capacity, pace and improved protection abilities.
“The versatility that he used here at BYU is going to be something that NFL scouts and organizations are going to love to use once he gets into the NFL,” stated Poppinga, who coached BYU’s edge rushers earlier than being promoted to DC in January when Jay Hill left for a similar job at Michigan.
Kelly truly thought-about leaping to the NFL after his junior season, his first season at BYU, however made the choice to return and enhance his method, notably in protection and tackling. He performed all three linebacker positions in each of his seasons at BYU — Sam, Will and Mack — and stated he would love to have the ability to present that versatility within the NFL.
After he began all 13 video games for the 11-2 Cougars in 2024 and set a college report for single-season quarterback hurries (12) and led the staff in sacks (5), compelled fumbles (two) and tackle-for-loss yardage (86), Kelly drew the eye of ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
“Jack Kelly was relatively unknown in August, but he is quickly rising, as I have him fifth at the position after three weeks,” Kiper wrote. “… You can see the high-end closing speed on tape. Kelly flies all over the field and can also play off the ball.”
After the Cougars went 12-2 and received the Pop-Tarts Bowl final December, Kelly headed out to Fort Myers, Florida, to coach for the draft for a few months. He additionally labored with Total Athlete Training in Riverton and with the BYU energy and conditioning employees in preparation for the NFL Combine and BYU’s professional day.
The further work paid off, as Kelly posted a time of 4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, eighth-best amongst linebackers. His vertical leap of 37 inches was eleventh finest and his broad leap of 10 toes, 5 inches was seventh finest. He additionally ran the quickest 20-yard shuttle (4.19 seconds) amongst linebackers on the mix.
“My biggest thing was the position drills — showing scouts that I can move,” Kelly informed ESPN The Fan. “Some people thought I was a little stiff before, so that was a big emphasis in the offseason. … I wanted to show I am fluid, that I can drop, rush the passer, and do a little bit of everything.”
Despite battling by a pair of shoulder accidents his senior season, Kelly was nonetheless capable of show his energy with 23 reps within the 225-pound bench press.
After BYU’s professional day, Kelly stated he believes he took scouts’ strategies from the NFL Combine and showed improvement in Provo.
“Yeah, 100% (improvement),” he stated. “In those interviews, after learning what scouts wanted to see from me, and then just going back and watching game film and seeing things I needed to improve on, I think I showed everything I wanted to show today.”
Kelly stated he’ll spend the draft weekend with his household, ready for that cellphone name to come back — both late Friday or Saturday.
“It is too early (to predict) where I will go,” he stated in early April. “The whole process has been surreal. But through it all, I have been blessed. I will just keep my faith in God, knowing that everything happens for a reason. I will just live it up while I can.”
