BYU’s Jack Kelly was chatting with reporters after a practice at Trinity University in San Antonio and two days before the Cougars’ 36-14 Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado when fellow linebacker Harrison Taggart stood behind the cameras and playfully asked Kelly what it would take to get him to stay at BYU for another season.
“You stay,” Kelly retorted, with the implication that he was leaning toward entering the NFL draft in April.
So it was somewhat of a surprise the following month when the First Team All-Big 12 linebacker (College Football Network) announced on social media on Jan. 22 that he was returning to BYU for his final season of eligibility.
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“Let’s run it back,” Kelly wrote in his typical low-key, understated fashion.
“There is still a lot more I can improve on to help this team. The bonds and connections I have built in this program really played a big factor.”
— BYU linebacker on why he chose to return to BYU rather than turn pro
Obviously, BYU coaches and fans were thrilled, because in 2024 after transferring in from Weber State the 6-foot-2, 240-pound inside linebacker from Kearns was one of BYU’s best defensive players, if not the best.
Kelly will combine with Taggart, Isaiah Glasker and Siale Esera to give BYU one of the top linebacker groups in the Big 12, maybe even the country.
“When all those guys decided to come back I was excited,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said the first week of spring camp. “… I am excited when anybody that has played a significant amount of reps, and started for us (returns). It keeps the culture of the team locked in and provides us great leadership. So those (linebackers) have done a great job. I like the…
Source link : https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/04/02/byu-football-linebacker-jack-kelly-nfl-draft-pro-college-jay-hill/
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Publish date : 2025-04-03 03:00:00
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