The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/432566
PREP PROFILES Oak Park (Mich.) High product John Kelly is extremely versatile, but is still uncertain of where he'll play at the next level. Michigan has offered him as a safety, while Michi- gan State and Minnesota see him as a running back. K e l l y h a s a knack for mak- ing plays against any kind of op- ponent. He has a toughness that a l l o w s h i m t o g r i n d o u t t h e yards as a ball carrier and make big hits on de- fense. Rivals.com Midwest recruit- ing analyst Josh Helmholdt has seen Kelly in person many times and be- lieves he's better suited for the of- fensive side of the ball. "Kelly is the do-everything player for Oak Park, lining up at running back and cornerback and returning punts," Helmholdt said of Rivals. com's No. 8 player in Michigan and No. 28 athlete nationally, who has run a reported 4.37 in the 40-yard dash. "Kelly looks like a small back on the field, but he measures 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds, and he runs with tremendous power. "His speed is what separates him, though, and he gets the edge at will against all kinds of competition." Kelly's senior season ended in the second round of the Division 2 state playoffs in November. He finished the year with 1,321 yards and 21 touchdowns rushing on 124 carries, and returned two kickoffs for scores. He has pulled in offers from Ten- nessee and Iowa, both of which are in the mix for one of his official vis- its. M i c h i g a n , Michigan State and Minnesota have been Kel- ly's three lead- e r s s i n c e t h e y offered. He still hopes to check out his leaders before National Sign- ing Day arrives. "As of now, I'll be heading out to Minnesota for an official on Dec. 12," Kelly reported. "I am re- ally excited. It is always a great experience every time I get down there. "Two other schools I know I am going to visit for sure are Michigan and Michigan State, I just haven't scheduled the dates yet." Although National Signing Day is less than two months away, Kelly is in no rush and is also not focused only on Michigan, Michigan State and Minnesota. "I could even take it to January, possibly," Kelly said. "My recruiting process is wide open at this point." — Brandon Brown Versatile In-State Standout Is Still Weighing Options ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Oak Park High School Oak Park, Mich. Class: 2015 Position: Athlete Ht.: 5-10 • Wt.: 191 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 8 player in Michigan and No. 28 athlete nationally John Kelly