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Getting to Know the Opponent: Ole Miss’ QB Chad Kelly

By Jay Hawkins

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) prior to kickoff in the 2016 Sugar Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) prior to kickoff in the 2016 Sugar Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Georgia Football will face a stiff test when they travel to Oxford, Miss., to take on Ole Miss in Week 4. Kirby Smart and defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will have to make it a priority to stop their star quarterback.

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The guy I am talking about is Chad Kelly a.k.a the best signal-caller in the Southeastern Conference. Kelly has seemed to turn his life around after a spotty past during which he was kicked off his high school football team and original college football team (Clemson).

Kelly transferred to East Mississippi Community College where he won a national championship. He then signed with Ole Miss in December of 2014, and then made Hugh Freeze look bad for giving him a second chance when he accumulated several assault charges among other things after a night club brawl in his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y.

However, Kelly put his ugly past behind him last season as he played extremely well. Jury is still out whether Kelly will quit getting in trouble, but his star play on the field last year certainly put that out of mind for the time being.

And a good year he had indeed. Kelly passed for 4,042 yards and 31 touchdowns with a 65.1% completion percentage. He led the SEC in passing yards, total offense, passing touchdowns and points responsible for. He also broke or tied 14 Ole Miss records for a single-season including total yards, passing yards, passing TDs, touchdowns responsible for, completions, completion percentage, passing efficiency and 300-yard passing games.

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Kelly holds the distinction of being the first quarterback at Ole Miss to lead the Rebels to wins over Alabama, LSU and Auburn in the same season. He  was the recipient of many honors for his record-breaking season including being named MVP of the Sugar Bowl for his 302 yard and four touchdown performance in Ole Miss’ win over Oklahoma State, named SEC Newcomer of the Year, All-SEC Second Team and a finalist for the Manning Award (given to the nation’s best QB).

Kelly has great arm strength, is accurate and obviously stuffs the stat sheet. He’s an outstanding passer but also a dual-threat guy too. The 6-2, 224 pounder possesses the athleticism to make plays with his feet as well. That adds another dangerous dimension to his game.

It cannot be stressed enough how truly gifted Kelly is. He can pick apart any defense. Just look what happened against Alabama last year. Anyway, Ole Miss should be one of the best teams UGA will face next season, and Kelly is a major reason why. Kirby Smart would be wise to get his guys ready to face Kelly.

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