By: Ross Van De Griek
TAMPA, Fla.- The recruiting process is just about to begin for one of the most stellar quarterbacks in the Tampa Bay area. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.) 2021 quarterback Kiael Kelly has received just a handful of offers so far from such schools as Coastal Carolina, Illinois, Indiana & Kansas.
Kelly, is coming off a 2018 season where he threw for 1,320 passing yards & 15 touchdowns, but also threw for 7 interceptions for the Tigers, leading them to a state semfinal appearance. Kelly also rushed for 298 yards, on 95 carries & had 2 rushing touchdowns as a sophomore. Kelly, is the son of former Tampa Catholic quarterback Kenny Kelly, who threw for 7,486 passing yards and 77 passing touchdowns, while playing for the rival Crusaders from 1994-1997. Kenny Kelly would also go onto play quarterback at the University of Miami, where he would later pickup a baseball career.
Kiael, told the Tampa Bay Times in 2018 on playing for his dad's rival. "I'm very excited, that I'm a Tiger & am looking forward to the opportunity."
So far in 2019, Kiael has thrown for 465 passing yards & has 5 touchdown passes in just 3 games so far for the Tigers. Kelly also this year has 11 carries, for 20 yards this season.
Back in April, Kiael Kelly visited with the University of Indiana & told 247Sports, "The visit went really well, he enjoyed learning about the school, as well as the football program." If Kiael Kelly winds up going to Indiana, he would be just one of handful of players to hail from the Tampa area, such as former Plant linebacker Micah McFadden, former Pasco & Tampa Bay Tech quarterback Michael Penix Jr., former Tampa Bay Tech defensive lineman Jonathan King, and that is just to name a few.
Kiael Kelly & his Jesuit Tigers (1-2) are home tonight for a game against the Booker Tornadoes (0-3) at 7:30pm