‘Versatile Athlete’: Scouting Baylor Commitment Corey Kelly
The Baylor Bears’ 2023 recruiting class is off to a fast start. Thus far, 13 high school players made a verbal commitment to play for the Bears. The most recent is likely one of the most versatile prospects the state of Texas has to offer, if not the nation, having played cornerback, safety, and multiple linebacker positions.
Size: 6’3”, 215-pounds
Position: LB/DE
High School: League City (Texas) Clear Falls
Recruitment
For his unique all-around skills, Kelly’s recruitment saw increased interest and offers from programs in Texas and as far away as Massachusetts. In addition to his first FBS offer from Baylor over a year ago on Jan. 15, 2021, offers from Missouri, Utah, Texas Tech, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Boston College, Memphis, Minnesota, Tulsa, Houston, Tulane, Indiana, SMU, and others have also come.
Kelly made his official visit to Baylor (June 10) prior to his commitment (June 14) to Coach Dave Aranda and the Bears.
Frame
Long and wiry frame, especially his arms. The lower half of Kelly’s frame resembles a track athlete. Needs at least one year of weight-room work to come close to maximizing optimum linebacker size.
Athleticism
Despite his length, Kelly stops and starts well. That’s important for a defender attempting to guard and tackle shifty slot receivers and running backs in space. Good bend within Kelly’s lower body. Springs forward at the snap of the football. Despite needing more muscle mass, he’s already a powerful striker.
Best Attribute
Position flexibility. Where will Kelly line up? While listed in this report as a linebacker or defensive end, that could change during any one given game. It makes evaluating Kelly’s long-term position(s) more difficult than most prospects, and that’s also a problem future Big XII offensive coordinators will face once he arrives in Waco.
Aranda will move his defenders into different positions, and Kelly is a perfect chess piece to shift around the field. Sure, he could focus on just playing weak side linebacker or another position. With his array of physical gifts, however, it’s more likely for Aranda to use Kelly as a specialist.
For instance, he could rush the passer at outside linebacker on first down and second down, then during the always important third-down play, Kelly drops into coverage as a middle linebacker. Not many college football players can provide this level of adaptability like Kelly.
From different positions on the field for Clear Springs, Kelly has shown to be a quality pass rusher as well as anticipating well in coverage. When opposing offenses are unsure of where defensive players will line up, the chances for miscues will increase. After Kelly is familiar with the defensive scheme, he provides an advantage for the Bears.
Tackling
Many top-level athletes play out of control. Football is no different. Kelly, meanwhile, breaks down to make tackles when faced head-on with a talented receiver or running back. Thus, he’s not often completely juked out because of lunging or leaving his feet to make a tackle.
Corner Skills
Kelly’s junior film shows him using his hands well at the line of scrimmage, and yes, at cornerback. Seeing a player that’s coming off the edge to blitz on one play and then lining up at cornerback during the same game is highly unusual. Kelly not only does this, he plays cornerback naturally. He plays the hip of the receiver and trails the receiver prior to making a play on the football.
Area to Improve
Just hit the weight room. He’s starting to add mass. That’s the good news about Kelly. Now he needs to refine his body over time. It’s just part of the natural process of becoming an FBS football player. Kelly’s other football skills will be sharpened by Aranda and the Baylor coaching staff.
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