Underclassman to Watch Recruiting Report: Jacob Kelly (Bemidji-2022)

One of the cooler and more underrated aspects of writing for Northstar Football News is uncovering, tracking, and hyping up the younger upcoming prep recruits the state of Minnesota has to offer. Getting ahead on the recruiting trail of a future potential highly rated recruit and helping to disperse their film and get their name out there as a underclassmen is a very cooling feeling as a writer in my position. I also can’t help but think a good one has been found with this newest recruit for this report: Bemidji Lumberjack 2022 grad Jacob Kelly. The 6’3 190 lb. sophomore is heading to enter his third year of high school next fall and is poised to make some waves coming up in Minnesota after killing it as a WR for the Lumberjacks in 2019, scoring 5 TDs, and helping them compete for a section title while impacting each and every opponent game plan, and solidifying himself as one of the top receivers in the state for 2022. Kelly has the measurables, skills, and attitude of a future scholarship athlete, and I’m very fortunate to be one of the first writers to speak with the stud. He ran a laser timed 4.48 forty-yard dash at NDSU’s camp last summer, and recorded the fastest 110 M hurdle time in the history of Minnesota freshman, as he recorded a time of 14.82 second run, placing him 12th in the nation. Check out this first-look, exclusive interview with the 2022 speed-demon as we discuss his football career thus far, expectations for 2020, now track helps his game on the gridiron, and more. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy. [caption id="attachment_18009" align="alignnone" width="300"] Kelly, as a freshman. Photo by Jillian Gandsey | Bemidji Pioneer[/caption] NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Jacob. Please begin by sharing with our readers a little bit about yourself, what you like about football, and your height/weight/40 etc. Kelly: I’m from Bemidji, MN and I’ve lived here my whole life. I started playing football in elementary school, & I love playing football because it gives me a goal to accomplish and I really like the team aspect of it. I’m 6’3”, 190 lbs , I ran a 4.48 laser time at the NDSU camp last summer , my bench max is 250 , my squat is 370, and my power clean is 235.” NFN: How was your 2018 freshman season at Bemidji? What were some highlights and lowlights? Also, what were some things you learned that set the expectation for 2019? Kelly: Our 2018 season was awesome. The highlight of that season would be making it to state. Low would be losing in the state tournament. I learned that a team needs to have good communication and be consistent. Our expectations would be making it to state again, mine was being more apart of the offense.” NFN: What were some things you worked on in the offseason? And what do you like about the Bemidji program? Kelly: “I went to camps did lots of speed and wide receiver footwork drills. I like Bemidji’s program because we have a great coaching staff.” NFN: How was the regular season in 2019? What was a big game for you? Also, what happened in that tough section final to the Spuds? Are they on the horizon for next year? Kelly: “Our first 8 games went great we were 7-1 . My biggest game would’ve been against Saint Cloud Tech. I feel like the Moorhead game we were lacking communication and just didn’t score when we were within the 20 when we should’ve. What’s on the horizon would be building off of what we learned this year working better as an offense and make it to state again.” NFN: Things don’t really ramp up until junior year, but what are you thinking recruiting wise right now? What can you bring to a college program? Kelly: “I am interested in any college. I just wanna play at the highest level I can. I have not gone on any visits yet but hope to soon, and I’ve been to a couple camps and plan on going to lots more this summer. I’ll bring a focus, attitude, dedication, and hard work ethic to any football program that I play for in the future.” NFN: Lastly, how does track fit into the equation? How does it help you when you’re playing football? Kelly: “Running and hurdling help improve my speed and agility that I can use on the field. I take track pretty seriously because it’s another opportunity to show my athletic ability . I was the fastest freshman in MN ever for the 110 hurdles and 12 in the nation.” Keep an eye out for Kelly on the upcoming 2022 Northstar Football News watchlist! It won’t be the last you see of the Lumberjack playmaker.