"I'd love to play in the pros down the line. My family has been through some rough times. I could be the one to help us get out of them. I want to be the one."
Just 3 years ago, Kelly had never played down one of football. Even in 10th grade, upon trying out for coach Bill Harrigan's squad, he figured his position would be quarterback. Just because. But a switch to receiver quickly occurred and, after a year of development, Kelly has become quite the head-turner.
His junior and senior seasons have produced 61 catches for 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns, an uncommonly high total for someone in the Public League, and Harrigan is certain that Kelly could produce on anyone's level.
So far, Syracuse, Michigan and Rutgers have made preliminary contact, and Temple and Minnesota have gone a step beyond, requesting tape and transcripts. Also, in less than a month, Kelly is scheduled to attend an evaluation session in South Jersey to perform in front of numerous scouts.
"Any ball that's near him, he's able to get it," Harrigan said. "In part that's because of his leaping ability, but it's also because of his smarts and desire. And he's flat-out instinctive. Whoever gets Nijay is going to be very happy."
If not for two factors, Kelly's receiving numbers would be borderline astronomical.
A year ago, he took somewhat of a back seat because then-quarterback Tyree "Bam" Rucker had a special kinship with fellow senior Jared Hines. And when this season began, Messiah Mitchell had to resolve a school issue before he could make it onto the field. He debuted in Week 4.
"That's my brothah. We're good," Kelly said, laughing. "He was so anxious to start playing. I told him to be patient and do what he had to do, then we could be out here together. Great relationship."
