Eli has shown he can cover the ground quickly, stay disciplined in coverage, and compete at the catch point. He plays with instincts , trust his technique and isn’t afraid to come down hill to help run support.

Eli committed to Columbia.

Eli is a defensive back who consistently finds himself in the right place at the right time, showing a strong natural feel for the game. What stands out most is his ability to stay around the football—he has a knack for reading plays early and closing space quickly once the ball is released. That anticipation allows him to consistently impact plays, whether it’s breaking up passes or getting involved in the catch point.

In coverage, Eli shows good awareness in both man and zone concepts. He doesn’t drift out of position easily and does a solid job maintaining leverage through routes. When he sees the quarterback’s eyes lock in, he reacts with urgency and confidence, which helps him disrupt timing windows and limit easy completions.

He’s also active and willing in run support. Eli triggers downhill with purpose, shows toughness as a tackler, and isn’t afraid to step into contact to help finish plays. That physical mindset adds value beyond just coverage responsibilities.

Eli is a defensive back who shows a competitive, alert style of play with a clear willingness to get involved in both coverage and run support. On film, he’s consistently around the action, not just holding position but actively working to affect plays as they develop.

What stands out early is his reaction timing. Eli does a good job keying on route breaks and quickly triggering downhill when he recognizes quick game or underneath concepts. That burst out of his break allows him to close space and arrive in time to contest throws rather than just tackle after the catch.

In coverage, he shows developing patience in man situations, working to stay connected through the route while keeping his balance when receivers change tempo. There are moments where his ability to mirror and stay in phase flashes, especially on shorter routes where quick transitions matter most.

Eli impressed at the Navy Combine with his quickness and disciplined approach in coverage drills. He stayed low and balanced, reading routes with sharp anticipation and reacting smoothly to sudden changes. His footwork allowed him to mirror receivers efficiently, and he displayed confident hands when contesting passes. Eli competed on every rep with intensity and focus, showing both coachability and the ability to play with controlled aggression. Overall, his performance highlighted a defensive back with strong instincts, athleticism, and the tools to make an impact at the next level.

Kelly impressed with his active hands, clean footwork, and sound mechanics. He’s stout at the point of attack, flips his hips well, and stays attached through routes. Kelly holds offers from Texas State, Arizona State, UTSA, Akron, San Diego State, and Oregon State.