After manning the quarterback spot in 2015 for the Rebels, senior Chad Kelly is aware of the leadership he must take on at the position next season.
Chad Kelly talks to the offense before the snap during a game last season. (Photo by: Cameron Brooks)
“You have to bring it in the offseason; otherwise, they’re going to come out here not looking at you,” Kelly said. “You got to start in the offseason. You’ve got to feed off of everybody. Having one guy out there talking, that’s good sometimes. But at the same time, you’ve got to have everybody together, talking and understanding we’re one team as a whole.”
Kelly explained what else he was focusing on during the practices.
“Just slowing the game down, commanding the offense in a professional way,” Kelly said. “And that’s on the field and off the field. In practice, you’ve got to control the offense and take what they give you and make sure you understand the situation
Kelly said he was impressed by the improvement he already saw in some of the players during the spring, including offensive lineman Jeremy Liggins, Sean Rawlings, Alex Givens and Jordan Sims, who are all receiving increased time on an injury depleted offensive line, among the players who impressed him.
“All those guys up front are giving it their all and they’re playing really, really well right now,” Kelly said. “On the outside, you’ve got Quincy (Adeboyejo), you’ve got (Derrick Jones), you’ve got Damarkus Lodge. Lodge is having a phenomenal camp, too. Running back, you’ve got Eric Swinney, who’s just a bruiser.”
Kelly went into further detail about Swinney, who was redshirted last year after suffering a stress fracture in his leg during the preseason.
“I think he brings a little bit of everything,” Kelly said. “He’s not scared to lay his head down and run someone over, and at the same time, he’s not scared to juke someone. He understands the game plan. It’s going to take a little bit longer to kind of get the feel for the game, of course. But I think he’s picking it up really well right now.”
Overall, Kelly said he was encouraged by the Rebels’ performance in the spring so far. Kelly said the 2016 Rebels are really hungry and are eager to win.
“They understand how good we can be, and the coaches are putting in all the time in the world to get us prepared for this season,” Kelly said. “We’re so much farther advanced than what we were last year at this time. I think everybody out there is ready for the season to start and get at it.”
– Cody Thomason
