Brendan Kelly Talks Recruitment

Reports from the St. Paul Pioneer Press were that Brendan Kelly, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior defensive end from Richfield (MN) Academy of Holy Angels, was going to commit soon to Minnesota. GoldenSports.Net caught up with Kelly today to learn the latest on his recruitment.

Brendan Kelly helped lead the Stars to a 6-5 mark and 3-4 record in the Missota Conference. He finished with 108 (68 solo tackles and 40 assists) total tackles and eight sacks. Kelly broke up 13 passes, forced four fumbles and blocks three punts.

Kelly said that a college decision could be coming soon, but that he is not quite ready to make his choice.

"You never know what can happen. I'm just taking it for what it is worth. I'm looking at what the schools have to offer."

Kelly said that he has offers from Minnesota and Wisconsin and is also hearing Iowa, Iowa State and Illinois.

Kelly used to play basketball and lacrosse for Holy Angels, but is now just focusing on lifting and getting ready for football.

"I am focused on keeping my speed up. You have to get to the play before you can make it. I am working on my upper body and core strength and trying to avoid injuries. I am working out with trainer Mark Ellis and other players like Willie Mobley and Ryan Orton of Eden Prairie, Andre Tate from Henry Sibley and Weston Peiffer of Chaska. We are going hard to prepare for spring."

Kelly is uncertain about when he will make his college choice, which means he is also undecided about what camps he might attend this summer.

"I'm still planning that out. I will know pretty soon in a week or two."

Kelly is unsure when he will make his college decision.

"Not yet, whenever I'll feel comfortable. I don't know when I'll feel comfortable. I could wake up and make my decision."

Holy Angels head coach Mike Smalley believes that Kelly has a big upside since he has played football for only three years.

"He has very, very good feet with the frame to carry 260 pounds. He has a God-given body and is taking advantage of that."

Smalley says that Kelly is still developing.

"Teams kept asking about him, which surprised us at first. He is a strongside defensive end who is not used to combo blocks. He is still learning the game."