DE Nyjalik Kelly (6-4 240) of Fort Lauderdale was a nightmare for quarterbacks last fall. In just six games, the former Florida State commitment recorded 13 sacks and 21 tackles for loss among his 35 total tackles. He is rated a four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite and ranked 11th nationally among strongside defensive ends. Clemson coaches had been texting him while reviewing his film, and Monday they made the call with an offer.
“All the defensive staff was on a FaceTime with me,” Kelly said. “They said I’m a dog. I’ve got a Clemson mindset. I’m a leader and that’s what they like at their school. They asked around before they gave the offer, and people told them I’m a good leader and a good teammate.”
And why does Kelly believe defensive coaches thing he’s a dog?
“I’m quick off the block, can use my hands and sack the quarterback,” Kelly said. “On third downs, you can depend on me to get the sacks.”
USC offered Kelly in mid-February, and he said he’s heard from head coach Shane Beamer, defensive coordinator Clayton White and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey. At this point though, it doesn’t appear the Gamecocks are making much of a move with him, though he’s not ruling anyone out.
“I’m kind of all over the place with recruiting right now,” Kelly said. “It’s just a blessing to get an offer from a top 10 school, watching different schools as I was growing up win the national championship, not thinking I’d be able to get the chance to play for them. But now I do. I made a top ten but I didn’t post nothing. I just made a top ten with my family, and then I got ten more offers. I don’t know it (the top ten) no more because I got more offers.”
Asked if Clemson will likely be in his top ten, Kelly replied, “Yeah, they’ve got a good spot.”
But he does know some official visits. Right now he has Indiana June 11th, LSU June 16th, Oregon June 25th, and tentatively Clemson for November 13th. He’s also considering Florida State for an official visit. Also, he plans unofficial visits to Miami June 1st, and to Florida State June 5th and September 5th.
Kelly was also offered Monday by Georgia. He also has offers from Michigan, Ole Miss, Maryland, Auburn, Texas, Syracuse, Kentucky, Pitt, West Virginia, Florida, Penn State, Georgia Tech and Arizona State among others. He plans to announce on December 15th, the early National Signing Day, and he will graduate in December.
Other Notes:
- 2023 WR Devin Hyatt of Dutch Fork was offered by Georgia.
- 2023 QB LaNorris Sellers of South Florence was offered by Virginia.
- USC women’s basketball 6-4 Maya Nnaji of Hopkins, MN committed to Arizona.
