Photo by E. Skylar Litherland/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Sarasota High School senior and Sailors' quarterback Casey Kelly
Tennessee picked up its 17th commitment of the 2008 football signing class when Casey Kelly offered his pledge at an afternoon press conference Wednesday.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound quarterback from Sarasota (Fla.) High School chose UT over Arizona State.
“It was just the place that I felt most comfortable,” Kelly said.
Kelly will try two sports at UT: football and baseball.
“They’ve had people that have done it before,” Kelly said. “That made it a lot better.”
The most famous Vols athlete to do both sports is Todd Helton, the Colorado Rockies first baseman who had his No. 3 baseball jersey retired by UT on Wednesday night.
Kelly will have to see where he falls in June’s baseball draft before he’s completely committed to UT. Kelly said he’s heard he might be a late first- to early second-round draft pick. Kelly has long said he would lean toward baseball if he is presented a big enough contract.
“The money has to be right to be something to take me away from college,” said Kelly, whose brother plays in the minors and father coaches a minor league team. “It has to be something big.”
Kelly will worry about that later. Now, he’s glad to have the first of two huge decisions behind him.
“It feels like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” Kelly said. “Now I can concentrate on baseball and high school.”
Kelly already has set his goals for UT.
“I definitely want to become the starting quarterback and the starting shortstop at the University of Tennessee,” Kelly said. “That’s what I’m going to work for and hopefully it happens.”
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
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Comments » 108
wyomingvol writes:
GoVols.
ONUV writes:
we need DTs
vol98 writes:
we don't need quaterbacks...i look at avg rating more than rankings. those rankings are based on points. you could have 28 3*'s and be a top 10 class. by no means are we doing great, but our avg per player is just outside the top 25, last i checked. anyway,
GerryOP writes:
A big commit! Does anyone know how he stands in baseball draft? Hmmmm. Another Casey? But he's not from the cool, laid back West Coast! That's a good thing!
RockyTopRK writes:
Welcome to Tennessee Casey! Todd Helton makes us proud and so can you! Give us one year before deciding on a professional baseball career. You won't be sorry. Good luck!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngeoff - did I read that he was only offered in baseball by ASU? Either way, looks like he's going to be drafted. If not, c'mon son and wear the orange.
Neyland_Vol writes:
sjt18: Not likely. The 11.7 scholarships given to baseball are even more coveted than football scholarhsips. If he's a legit 1st rounder, he'll never make it to Knoxville. You're looking at $1-$2.5 million signing bonus. That is, of course, if he's actually taken that high.
ATLVOL1 writes:
Good for our baseball team...interestingly Kelly said that Clawson told him the QB job is wide open and everyone has a chance to start this year. This is the best pure athlete at QB we have now.
rabidvol1998 writes:
sjt18 - No. Any player playing football and another sport must be on a football scholarship.
ATLVOL1 writes:
Casey speaking to Scout:
They are going to run an offense similar to last year. They plan to have a pro-style offense. They have a junior quarterback who will probably be the starter, but the job is open for anyone.”
Basketball_Jones writes:
Remember Garciapara's little brother was coming here for football and baseball as well. He's in the minors.Hopefully this will work out
ATLVOL1 writes:
check this out:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?y...
He was projected possible top15 picks last year by MLB.com....I would think he is going pro.
txsvol#372416 writes:
Well, when he signs the baseball contract, Ol' Phil can "Bowden" him, and tell him that if baseball doesn't work out, he'll always have a scholarship open for him. Chris Weinke managed to win the FSU Seminoles a National Championship in 1999, and the Heisman trophy in 2000. I'd probably rather have a mature 22 year old in four years than another QB in the queue right now. Good to have Casey aboard, whichever way the chips fall! Go Vols1 SAVol
vol98 writes:
sjt18..maybe overstated a bit, but looking at rivals, a team like Minnesota with 17 3* and 6 4* is a top 25 class..you can read how they come up with the points..its a combo of 'quantity and quality' but it looks like to me that a large class will inc a team ranking...but still I don't like seeing us that low and not even being considered by "top" talent
GreerVol22 writes:
scout.com has him listed at 6-4 195 and a 4.6 40. Rivals at 6-2...Which is it? 6-2 or 6-4...not that it matters because from what I read he's going pro in baseball...if he's as good as he thinks he is. Heck, even his pic on rivals is in his baseball uniform so it kinda shows where his heart is.
wuwh_08#331952 writes:
I would make this sweet little pitcher a little faster and a reciever.....We don't need no stinking QBs
HotlantaVol writes:
If we 'Bowden' him, he could also come back as a Kelly Washington and rip the team to shreds.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
This was huge! Great job Vols!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
tngeoff-How soon will he be elgible for ride-alongs? Just jesting, guys. He'll be at some Class a team's diamond.
Loved the guy's post, wtf is an ogg?
ATLVOL1 writes:
Maybe he can stay 3 years and help take us to the CWS ....I mean if Crompton struggles early next year who knows....Crompton has some early season tough opponents.
Greyback_Vol writes:
I don't think this kid ever makes it to Knoxville. I'm also not really thrilled about his desire to play two sports. Two sport athletes rarely do well in college. Otherwise this would be a nice commitment.
bigbluevol writes:
sjt, I think the deal with Faison is that he's using the money from his baseball contract to pay his way in school.
CapnJohn writes:
Hmm. A Quarterback named Casey and an Offensive Coodinator named Clawson. Anyone see the irony there?
smokey90 writes:
Hughes jumped to a 3* overnight. Was there a football game last night that I missed?
ATLVOL1 writes:
Marc you are at it again with the quote dissection! You were right on savage. Good Call.
ATLVOL1 writes:
MLB.com says he has a short swing with power...thats exactly what scouts look for, means he can catch up to 95 mph fastballs.
agentorange writes:
i'm so happy i could punch someone in the face, smoke a joint and scream and wave my arms in a parking lot. seriously, he's a good pick up.
volinSmyrna writes:
smokey90...There were a lot of things that factored into his not being on the radar.
If he would have been publicized by his coaches and made the camp circuits for the last couple of years, he would have been a sure-fire 4* in my opinion. Nobody knew who he was and his team was not good. He is an absolute beast. I hope he goes the Hargrave route and develops some technique. That way he will still have 4 years to play college ball. If this guy learns some technique, he "CAN" become a J Henderson type kid. Big, Strong, and plays with a nasty disposition....perfect for a DT.
thesavageorange writes:
smokey90 ,Rivals still has him as a 2*.Scout 3*.Hughes created a buz during the East/West all-star game.He was dominating some higher rated players.Once the word got out, rivals and scout started disecting the films.He is a raw project w/ plenty of upside.
bowerst#242774 writes:
Everything I heard is this kid has a rocket, but the baseball thing scared everyone off. Funny how the gloom and doomers say we don't need QB's , he is no good or everyone else would be after him, that he would be another Kelly Washington, etc.
Has Crompton proven he can win an SEC game? Is there someone else on the roster who has taken a snap, other than Gerald Jones? Does every guy who tries baseball and goes back to play college football have an ego bigger than Neyland Stadium? Just curious.
nivatne writes:
Dupree, what 2 JUCO DT's are we going after? Rivals sure doesn't have any listed.
John_Galt writes:
The problem with baseball draft rules...
Once a student athlete reports to 4 year school to play baseball...He is not draft eligible again for 3 seasons (with few exceptions)
There's always the possibility of playing minor leage ball and still playing college football. but QB would be the last position you'd want to try this in.
I think Mr. Kelly will play pro ball. Anyone drafting him will know they have to payup and even if he slips to 3rd round or lower he will likely be paid above slot value to go pro.
Best of luck either way.
DannyVol writes:
Just a committment to bolster the ratings. This guy will never play a down for us. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm not.
vols2008 writes:
Long time reader. First time questioner. Just wondering about the fact that if Kelly does go pro this summer do we get the scholarship back next year or is it lost forever?
Thanks, I'll hang up and listen..........
gohawks1 writes:
He's a BB player - he'll never dress out in pads. Best of luck to him either way...
bowerst#242774 writes:
Probably no freshman will take Crompton's job, but if he gets hurt or plays horribly, it's usually a good idea to have some talent waiting in the wings.
beaznvol writes:
We have another good signal caller besides Crompton. He's name is B.J. Coleman! Crompton is tough and does have the mobility to escape the pocket and allow a receiver to get open down field if need be. He is one tough young man. I believe we will see a world of difference in his mentality being the #1 guy.
Don't be shocked if you see him run an option play or two and lower his shoulder, smacking a DB to the ground in 2008.
After Crompton we have "The Golden Boy" B.J. Coleman. He's gonna be a good pocket presence Q.B.
Kelly is a good hitter and I hope if he does make it to Knoxvegas, he will smack a couple of dingers out of the park.
Don't forget about the arms we got in the stable right now folks.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Can't say the kid doesn't have lofty goals--start at both QB and SS? This commitment doesn't excite me as much as a couple of big hosses for the line would. Hope we still have a couple of those in the pipeline.
Txvol57 writes:
We don't need him and he will never see the football field. He is a much better baseball player. He will get drafted or quit football to play baseball. This is a wasted football scholarship. He will never play.
mgraham65 writes:
SJT18 - It wouldn't make sense to count him against baseball's allotment. They only have 11.7 scholarships (I believe that's right...) to offer. Of course, football has like 80-something. As a matter of fact, most baseball players are here on partials anyway. The rest of their tuition is usually made up from educational scholarships, grants or by paying their own way. Obviously, it helps the baseball team having that extra scholarhip to offer to a one-sport guy. In football, he's just another leaf on the tree.
A perfect example of this is Todd Helton. He attended UT on a football scholarship, was a back-up quarterback for the most part (starting only two games), and walked on to the baseball team. I think he did okay :)
BTW, for those of you who only rely on the "rating" system, Warren Sapp was only a 3-star guy when he came out. He had a Hall of Fame career. Chad Pennington was a "rest of the best", in other words unranked. He's played for several years and started a lot of games in the NFL. Albert Means was a 4.5 in most publications. Daniel Brooks was a 4-5, depending on which one you read. Where are Brooks and Means now?
The list goes on. However, the fact remains, the rating systems are essentially comprised of the opinions of guys trying to evaluate these players through conversation, maybe some video highlights, coaches eager to get their kids into school somewhere (which I don't disagree with, BTW), etc. There is a real possibility never even from getting to see these kids firsthand, on a game to game basis.
Remember the vaunted recruiting class of 2005? How many of those guys have made a huge impact on the UT program?
Point is, take the rankings for what they are... best guesses. Talk about it around the bar table, pound your chest, as hard as you can and have another beer on an October Saturday and thank Michael (me) for reminding you of the reality of the business.
VolFanNC writes:
Not too worried about whether this guy comes here or not. We're not in bad shape at QB. I am really more interested to see how Clawson runs the offense. Also isn't Clawson supposed to be strong in recruiting in the Chatham, VA area? Isn't Enrique Davis from Chatham?
Anyhow, this year we really need LB's, DT's, and DE's. Would be nice to pick up Marty Everett or Marcel and Demetrius Dareus. Keith Wells could also end up bolstering the class. I am not sure if I can take Phil and the chief griping about D-line for another year.
BTW: Don't know if anyone noticed the 2 JC's that have committed.
Stephaun Raines runs a 4.35 40.....Gerald Williams LB - was the nubmer 3 LB at the time. Basically a 4-Star LB that had acedemic problems. Both of them can step in and start next year...if needed
FWBVol writes:
VolnDothan, Coleman redshirted this year so he'll still be a football freshman, Dickey is a walkon, and I'm assuming Trent is a walkon as well because I've never heard of him and I probably follow the team closer than most.
I still doubt that Kelly would start before his junior year if he does stick it out in football.
I'd rather "waste" a football scholarship on a guy who can help the baseball team, than waste one on a guy that comes in with all the talent in the world, but has an attitude. I'm not picking on James Banks, but it could be said that was a wasted scholarship. The same with Coker.
If a kid comes in, stays out of trouble and can help either the baseball or football team or maybe both, I don't think we've thrown anything away.
By the way Vols2008, if he signs baseball the football scholarship will be open, but would probably be held for the next signing class unless there was a walkon Fulmer wanted to help a little next season.
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Nice excess of quarterbacks. Maybe tennessee can go to the two quarterback system... two in the backfield at the same time. Sort of a single wing with 2 Qbs instead of 2 Rbs. If only we could trade 1 or 2 for a defensive lineman. Do we really need another Qb?
dburgVol writes:
stj18, I wouldnt be upset if Floyd switches. That frees ups a scholarship, and he's been selling and flaunting himself around. Don't want that kind of athlete. sphs_vol has me doing loops. He says top 15 class, but he could be blowing smoke. Maybe 99gator pretending to be a Vol, or he could truly be an insider. Who knows, but Walls was a pleasant surprise and Willie Bohannon was nice. Would be nice to get Enrique Davis, Abrams-Ward, and Coples. Still wish we hadve gotten Marvin Austin last year, he wouldve been the icing on the cake. Water under the bridge I guess. Too many kids missing out on the greatest college football experience. I just hope sphs_vol is right.
ctownvol writes:
That darn Casey Kelly...He's bonafide!
volipop3#328757 writes:
Can someone please tell me what was wrong with Curt Phillips from Kingsport? He's a four star player, but should be five. Tennessee never even offered, but his stats are better or as good as Pryor. The guy was a stud, and it was a mistake letting him get out of the state to Wisconsin after seeing him play in person. His stats were even better then Tebow's senior year, and he is bigger and faster then Tebow as well. Oh well, what do I know? Welcome Kelly to Big Orange Country.
philfan writes:
sphs,
On an earlier post you mentioned that there could be major defections from fellow SEC rivals but were not at all specific. Stan Drayton was recruited away from Florida and, according to the KNS, it appeared that Urban Meyer was not at all happy about it. In fact, Drayton suggested the two could have had words. Is Drayton planning on asking some or all of the players he recruited for Florida to commit to Tennessee? Is that the big surprise you were alluding to? Come on, man, and tell us what you know!!!
vol1994 writes:
why would we offer this kid a football scholarship if he probably won't even dress in a uniform.
I know we have scholarsips avl but..
surely not to boost rankings? someone plz advise.
ATLVOL1 writes:
Ok lets get this straight.....
HAS ANYONE FROM MCCALLIE, BAYLOR, OR MBA EVER BEEN A GOOD COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER?
I keep hearing Coleman is the second coming of Jesus?
AllVol writes:
I'm with you, Philfan. Geez, Louise, this is killing me. I welcome Casey to the Big Orange family--I really do. I just wonder what the point is--maybe baseball. I just don't see him taking the job from either Crompton or Coleman, and as a Chattanoogan, I hope B.J. wins the Heisman. Maybe Casey will be an All-American on the diamond. That would be just dandy, too. Anyway, you will become a Tennessee Volunteer, Casey. Damned fine. Damned fine. Best of luck to you.
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