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Kelly caught Clawson's eye early

UT quarterback signee impressed as ninth-grader in summer camp

By Dave Hooker (Contact)
Originally published 10:19 p.m., February 15, 2008
Updated 10:19 p.m., February 15, 2008

Dave Clawson's first directive as Tennessee's offensive coordinator was simple, yet vital: Find UT's quarterback of the future.

Fortunately for Clawson, fate was on his side when he holed himself up in a dark room with a projector and eight to 10 highlight tapes of the quarterbacks still on UT's recruiting board in January.

Clawson emerged from the tape study with one player in mind: Casey Kelly.

That was good news for the Vols, who had laid a strong recruiting groundwork in hopes of landing the Sarasota (Fla.) High School standout.

Then Clawson began to think. Suddenly, he remembered seeing a ninth-grade quarterback named Kelly at a Richmond football camp, which Clawson presided over as Spiders coach.

"I remember watching the kid thinking 'Man, this guy can throw the ball,' " Clawson said. "I'm looking at him like we should be recruiting this guy. And I find out he's a ninth- grader from Sarasota, Florida."

Kelly didn't just travel to Richmond to take part in the school's football camp. Kelly's father, Pat, was the manager for the Class AAA Richmond Braves.

"Once or twice, I threw out the first pitch at a Richmond Braves game and had a chance to meet his dad," Clawson said.

Ironically, it could be baseball that could still cause the UT-Kelly marriage to unravel. If Kelly is drafted high enough in June's amateur baseball draft, he's said he'll go pro.

Still, UT almost never had a shot to land Kelly when offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe left in January to become coach at Duke. Kelly, who openly admitted he was dismayed by Cutcliffe's departure, started taking a long look at Arizona State.

"I think he felt very comfortable with Coach Cut. I think that concerned him," Clawson said. "But I think the fact that he met me (in Richmond) and knew me and there had been a little bit of history there, maybe, helped a little bit.

"But I think we were his best option. He was excited about Tennessee before I was here."

With three quarterbacks above him on UT's depth chart, it's unlikely Kelly will contribute in 2008, but his athletic ability could be just what Clawson is looking for in the future.

Clawson just smiled and shook his head when recounting the twists and turns in Kelly's recruitment.

"I remember how impressive his arm was," Clawson said. "It's kind of funny that three or four years later, here's the guy I pick out of a list and I'm recruiting him."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       50 Comments

Posted by volnfl on February 15, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I saw Jesse Walker beat Kelly in a football throwing contest when they were kids. Kelly should be alright though. What ever happened to Jesse Walker?

Posted by vols76 on February 15, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

who is jesse walker?

Posted by TurboFan on February 15, 2008 at 11:16 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by nicksjuzunk on February 15, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Finally, something about one of our signees.

Posted by snafu14u on February 16, 2008 at 1:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Kelly will never take a snap in a Division I football game.I suggest that you don't get your hopes up.However he will contribute to the baseVols.bonzaivol

Posted by FatherVol on February 16, 2008 at 2:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My name was Jesse Walker before I had it legally changed to avoid this stalker named John Frazier.

Posted by oldvolsfan on February 16, 2008 at 3 a.m. (Suggest removal)

nothing to talk about but jessie walker wow

Posted by nicksjuzunk on February 16, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

snafu14u,

You may be right about that first point but if so... you are wrong on your second. It will be because he will go pro.

Posted by dirislr on February 16, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Johnny Walker was the country singers name. Just thought I would add that.

Posted by H1Gator on February 16, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gainesville Sun 2-16-08
Top target in 2009? Frankie Telfort, 5-11, 190, Miami Gulliver Prep. He likely will be considered the No. 1 linebacker in the state of Florida next season. He played in only six games as a junior because of an injured thumb, but he still recorded 66 tackles, force two fumbles and recovered four fumbles. He already has offers from Florida, Florida State, LSU, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Posted by writer on February 16, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No, Johnny Walker is the best friend of a lot of negative posters on this board.

Posted by pdhuff on February 16, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That would be Johnny Walker red for my big buddy. I once saw a Walker Hound.

snafu14u - I believe you are correct. Show me the $$$$$. Crompton's show.

I wish we'd spend as much time on d-line prospects, but the cupboard is bare on incoming.
Maybe Hughes will qualify, hard to tell.

Posted by jdcdjc on February 16, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with snafu14u, Kelly will never take a snap. Anyway find us someone that can pull the ball down and run with it. Personally, I'm tired of the drop back only qb's.

Posted by invisiblekid on February 16, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Should have held this story until August if he is still around, which looks unlikely. Best of luck whatever he decides though.

Posted by tngeoff on February 16, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I personally would like to hear that Coach Clawson was impressed with the guy who lead us for the next two years. You know, the HIGHLY recruited guy who was such a victory for us to sign. You know, the one who played great against LSU in the game when he ran over and knocked the beejeebers out of that defensive back from LSU. I want to hear about THAT quarterback and about how we are looking forward to his play next year. Coaches...let's hear about THAT guy.

Posted by tngeoff on February 16, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Something like this maybe, "Coach Clawson went back nad looked at Cromptons game films from high school and was amazed that we have such a talent already here and ready to go next year! He already knows Tennessee football, is a great leader, throws great downfield, is not afraid to run and can do so very well and he's gonna' look like a Tennessee version of a former, yet recent Heistman Trophy winner. We are excited to have hime here and can';t wai to see him in action!" See what I mena? That kinda' stuff. You know, something that we can see and believe in and come to think that nothing really is worng.

Posted by TommyJack on February 16, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Jerry Jeff Walker is a LEGEND in Texas, but he's a tad long in the tooth to go deep. Can still draw a crowd, tho.

Posted by TurboFan on February 16, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Interesting, first time I have ever been censored on here. Am I headed down the ole touchdown road?

What I said, minus the supposed offending part, was that volnfl has referenced "jesse walker" in every post he/she has made. There is a country singer and a libertarian talk show host with that name. Either trying to do free advertising or making a stupid joke.

Posted by TommyJack on February 16, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40: Don't get the deletion????

Posted by IPOrange on February 16, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was thinking the same thing, WD40. volnfl has posted only 5 times as of this writing, and he has referenced "Jesse Walker" 6 times. He is either:

A) trying to create interest in a friend (or himself), or

B) he is a fan of another SEC school trying to start a rumor on TN boards about a fictional character to get a cheap laugh on the buzz he creates.

Personally, I think it's B. Either way, it's not working.....

Posted by tngeoff on February 16, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Look at the end of the poster (poser) name. It says it all. FL

5005!

Posted by pdhuff on February 16, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff, the director of the doldrums would like to see you in his office. And bring your playbook.

Posted by IPOrange on February 16, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think I found a video clip of Jesse Walker. Check him out - he's the QB:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdOiF_...

Posted by tngeoff on February 16, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pdhuff.

Oh no. First I get a post removed. Now this! My dog ate my playbook!

IPOrange.

That is a big TEN (not as in Conference of course, which actually has 11 teams, but who's counting anyway...but as in a scale of 1 - 10)! Good find!

Posted by IPOrange on February 16, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fooooorrrrrrtyyyy-foooouuuurrrrr!

Posted by TurboFan on February 16, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TJ, used words that described the result of using viagra.

Geoff, been wondering, what is "5005" in reference to?

Posted by TurboFan on February 16, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FatherVol, your 2:20 am post would be hugely funny, if only I got the John Frazier reference.

Posted by tngeoff on February 16, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WD40plusVol.

At one point, since so many guys (me included) post the same views on given sitautions over and over and over again, I suggested we just number the main ones. I made a partial list and others added theirs. We started at the 5,000 level since we are all advanced posters. The 5005 means, "pound the fritter."

Posted by TurboFan on February 16, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice to be clued in, Geoff. However, I never seen 5001-5004.

Posted by TommyJack on February 16, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wd40: Got it. I've been boning up on the topic.

Posted by TurboFan on February 16, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Been visiting the Mouse's Ear I take it?

Posted by jimr07 on February 16, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

snafu14u and jdcdjc--do you have inside information to the kelly kid or do you know his family? just wondered you both seem so positive that he will never play.

Posted by philfan on February 16, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tngeoff made a really good point about Crompton. I would like to see an in depth, possibly human interst article about Crompton, a description of his athletic strengths and weaknesses, his ability and willingness to run with the ball, his opinion about Cutcliffe's coaching ability, and so on. All I really know about him is that he played in a few games, where he did at least an adequate job. Hopefully, we will get a good article soon.

Posted by TurboFan on February 16, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would like to see an similar article on Clawson.

Posted by TommyJack on February 16, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimR: Kelly said publically that if he went "high enough" in draft (code for bonus $) he would probably go pro hardball.

Posted by IPOrange on February 16, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimR, TJ is right - Kelly's own comments have indicated that baseball is what he would rather do if given the opportunity. Also, since his dad has connections within the Braves organization, that seems to be the likely path he will follow. I don't think he will ever play a down, either.

Posted by jimr07 on February 16, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tommyjack--the impression i got from them that it is a foregone conclusion that is what he is going to do. sorry. my interpretation.

Posted by TommyJack on February 16, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jimr: My take was if the draft position was high enough, he would take the $$. If not, both sports for Vols. From what I hear tho, he probably will be a TOP draft choice in hardball.

Posted by splinterdand on February 16, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Forget Jesse Walker. Alabama's offering him more money than anyone else can pay.

Posted by IPOrange on February 16, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That might be untrue, splinterdand. Since Bammer has paid more $$ to Saybunn than Oprah is worth, their recruiting fund is somewhat limited. I heard that they could only offer some of their top recruits this year a Subaru instead of a BMW.

Posted by JackCrevol on February 16, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i'll be surprised if this kid ever wears orange in anything other than spring practice.

Posted by pdhuff on February 16, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When is the B Ball draft? Should end this speculation.

Posted by tenncorncob on February 16, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Up against the wall, Redneck mother......a tribute to TommyJacks and Jerry Jeff..lol...

Posted by Rok_Etop on February 16, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good Times ahead if we get this JJ Walker kid. He is Dy-No-mite! A bit thin though. His mother is a Florida fan. His brother Micheal never played ball, his sister Thelma was a cheerleader then she married this guy who was a pro basketball player, but he blew out his knee in a freak wedding accident and never played again. His dad is James and was a garbage man. He is from chicago. Plenty of video of him on TV Land or Nick at Night. GGOOOD TIIIIIIIIIMMES. Yyyeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!

Posted by TurboFan on February 16, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PD, isn't it in June after all the HSers graduate and college ball ends?

Posted by pdhuff on February 17, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General ?? splain yourself.

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