Clemson scores a perfect "10" in getting elite defensive end Kelly

Kelly is ranked by ESPN as the No. 173 prospect in the ESPN 300.

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Fri Jul 24 14:48:35 GMT-04:00 2015

Clemson scored a perfect 10 and wound up with one of the nation’s top defensive end prospects as a result.

Clemson’s 2016 recruiting class received a huge boost Friday afternoon after picking up a commitment from one of the nation’s top defensive ends after Wichita (KS) East Wichita’s Xavier KellyXavier Kelly
Defensive End
6-5, 255
Wichita, KS
ESPN:
View Full Profile picked Clemson over Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida St., Michigan, Oregon and TCU.

Kelly made his decision on ESPN’s Recruiting Nation.

“First of all, I would like to thank God. I would like to thank my family and my parents for all of their support throughout the recruiting process,” he said. “I would like to thank my coaches and teammates for making me better each day. I would like to thank everybody who was there for me and supported me throughout the whole journey. For the next four years, I'll be attending Clemson.”

Kelly is ranked by ESPN as the nation’s No. 24-ranked defensive end prospect and is the No. 173 prospect in the ESPN 300. Kelly was formerly committed to Kansas St, but his recruitment exploded last November after stellar performances in several scouting combines.

The 4-star prospect made his first trip to Clemson earlier this summer, but it was his most recent visit for the All In Cookout that led to the decision. Kelly said that he and his dad took notes after each visit and made videos so the information would be fresh in his mind. They also ranked the schools in several different categories, and Clemson scored a perfect ten across the board.

“I wanted to go to a place with a good football program and with good academics. A place that I can excel and just be successful there.” Kelly said after his announcement. “I looked at how stable the coaching staff is, the depth chart and we took a lot of notes and videos right after the visit so it could be fresh in my head.

“When I made the top-eight, we went over the notes. I already had the schools ranked, so we just picked the eight schools that were best for me. That was the best visit I went on. The notes - we ranked each thing one out of 10 with 10 being the best. Academics was a 10. The campus was a 10. Stadium was a 10. Everything was a 10. It was just a great fit for me. I just like how they have a family environment, and everything is family up there. It just feels like home.”

Kelly said he wanted to visit the different schools so he would know he made the correct decision.

“I feel like if you're going to make a decision, don't rush it,” he said. “Go on all of your visits and get all of the experience before you make your decision. I think I did that. I think I saw all of the schools that I was interested in, and this is the best one.

What set Clemson apart from the other schools?

“They have a family environment and I really love that about them. I just have a good vibe with all of the coaches and the coaches are all about me,” Kelly said. “They recruited me really hard. They have a big-time football program. They're in the ACC. I like how Coach Dabo SwinneyDabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile has never offered a JUCO player, so I don't have to worry about any JUCO players coming in and replacing me. He's really loyal to his players. He treats his players well, and you can tell he's a good person outside of football, so he's going to develop players not only as a good football player but as a person as well.”

Kelly still has a chance to take his five official visits with the approach of the 2015 season, but he said he won’t be visiting any other schools.

“I'm 100-percent committed to Clemson so I won't be taking any more visits. The only official visit I'll be taking is to Clemson,” he said.

The 6-5, 245-pounder runs a 4.55 40-yard dash and has been mentioned as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker, but he said he thinks he will play defensive end at Clemson.

“I don't prefer a position. I've never played outside linebacker before, but I don't think it would be a big transition,” he said. “It's just playing in space. Clemson thinks I can be a big defensive end.”