Hezikiah Kelley Hezikiah Kelley 6'1" | 175 lbs | ATH Cincinnati Northwest | 2027 State OH is finally starting to pick up attention on the recruiting trail, and it is long overdue. I first noticed Kelley at the Prep Redzone Hoosier State Hustle nearly one year ago and he has not disappointed. He has earned his first Power 4 offers from Cincinnati, UConn and Kentucky. Kelley is an outstanding receiver/athlete on offense with tremendous burst and speed after the catch, and the team likes to use him in space. His college fit is likely on defense at safety, where he possesses great range, can roam the field and has outstanding closing speed.

Performed well at the 7v7. Displays good hands on both offense and defense. WR/S in high school. Strong ball skills in both phases, can leap and pick off passes, get full extension and haul the ball in. Good cover guy too. At receiver he has good burst off the LOS. One of Ohio’s best younger class of 2027 prospects.

Whether it’s his colorful hair or his undeniable athleticism, Kelley (Cincy Cats 18u) was hard to miss on the football field. He played both ways for the Cincy Kats. With my focus being on offense I was glued to him at wide receiver. Not only is Kelley a fluid athlete but he possesses a great frame and the strength to win routes and the 50/50 ball.

Kelley is a talented two-way player for the Knights of Northwest High School in Cincinnati. He has a good frame and size for a sophomore. On the defensive side of the ball he plays free safety. Hezikiah is comfortable in space and takes good angles to the ball. He shows good ball skills and the athleticism to get up and make plays or 50-50 balls. On offense he plays wide receiver, where he runs good routes and the sudden when he gets the ball in his hands in the open field. He has the speed to turn shorter throws into chunk plays. Kelley is also a playmaker in the special teams game as a returner. The off-season and camp season will be a big chance for him to start to pop up on recruiting radars.

Kelley debuts in this rankings update at #51. He lines up at safety for the Northwest Knights defensive backfield. I beleive he’s a player who with more varsity reps and development will be able to play both strong and free safety. He can run, has a nose for the ball, and comes in with good pad level. In one play you even see him force a fumble by putting his shoulder pads on the ball and pop it out. He’s still working on his eye placement and trusting his instincts, but once he starts getting comfortable his play speed and physicality are really going to take over. I’m really excited to see what Kelley puts on film this fall with another offseason and training camp under his belt.