South Sumter's Kelly picks USF

[ChiTownBull]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschool/lake/orl-lkelly0506dec05,0,6383743.story?coll=orl-sports-headlines-lake

BUSHNELL -- The trip between Bushnell and Tampa is not long at all -- in fact it only takes about 45 minutes -- and soon there will be a reason for South Sumter High School football fans to make that journey.

Richard Kelly, South Sumter's senior fullback, made an oral commitment to the University of South Florida Sunday night while USF coaches Carl Franks, the Bulls' running backs coach, and Wally Burnham, the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, visited him at his home.

Kelly becomes the second Raiders running back and the fourth South Sumter player overall to head to USF. It started when former South Sumter running back Clenton Crossley signed with the Bulls in 2000. Kelly will join two other South Sumter players, Sam Miller and Ben Moffitt, both of whom are junior linebackers for the Bulls.

Kelly, a four-year varsity player, finished his senior season with the Raiders with 1,197 yards on 145 rushing attempts and scored 16 touchdowns. He also had 15 receptions for 285 yards and another touchdown. As a junior, he rushed for 759 yards and 11 touchdowns and had 14 catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns.

"I think it kind of started when he walked onto our campus in the ninth grade and went straight to the varsity," South Sumter Coach Inman Sherman said. "At 6 feet and 240 pounds, even as a ninth-grader, he was tremendously strong. He did all the things that you want him to do, all the things you love for a player to have, he had them."

Kelly came to South Sumter with good size, good speed (4..57 seconds in the 40), talent and good academics (he has a 3.1 grade-point average).

He also was named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association's All-District 8 team this year. During his four varsity seasons, he played on teams that had a combined record of 39-8.

Kelly's commitment to USF, along with South Sumter linebacker Kendall Smith committing to FSU in the summer, makes this the fifth year in a row South Sumter will have at least one player signing with an NCAA Division I-A football program. Both players will make their commitments official on national signing day in February.

"I think there were two factors for him signing with USF," Sherman said. "No. 1, his momma said, 'You know that is 45 minutes from home.' And the No. 2 factor is he will be able to compete for a running back spot next year because they don't have a lot of depth at running back."

USF will play East Carolina in the Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., on Dec. 23.

Joe Williams can be reached at jwilliams@orlandosentinel.com or 352-742-5921.

[Grateful Dad]

Excellent!  We will be unstoppable with a consistent, viable running game.  That coupled with Grothe and excellent WR's will get us where we want to go.

[E.T.]

Like that he catches outta the backfield.

And as a reminder, we have lots of info on the Recruiting Board ... seems like 15 commits so far!

[Matt]

seems like he will be good on short yardage

[Bullpride08]

seems like he will be good on short yardage

Much more versatile then that.  This kid is a hybrid big-back.  Very legit 4.5ish speed at 240lbs.  He catches the ball, has a very nice burst, keeps his pad level low, and very quick feet.  He can be a back that plays in the single back set, or as a FB in the I.  A nice pick up that will be bring a new dimension to our offense, one we've never seen.  A legit big RB that can do many things.

[bulls96go]

great pick up

now when we have 3rd and 1, we will see no more voodoo reverses...sorry rod smith is still the OC!

file this under tasteless dig!

[E.T.]

Brings memories of:

[tbbulls]

dump truck sighting?

[E.T.]

Nope ... Dyral McMillan, UM Transfer back in the 1900's

[Bull Dozer]

seems like he will be good on short yardage

Much more versatile then that.  This kid is a hybrid big-back.  Very legit 4.5ish speed at 240lbs.  He catches the ball, has a very nice burst, keeps his pad level low, and very quick feet.  He can be a back that plays in the single back set, or as a FB in the I.  A nice pick up that will be bring a new dimension to our offense, one we've never seen.  A legit big RB that can do many things.

scout has him listed as 4.7 but he does look faster on film.  With a 2a player highlight reels can be decieving.