Published: February 07, 2008 01:53 am            

Kelly headed to Boston College

FAIRMONT — Recruits across the nation sat down Wednesday and signed their national letters of intent to play football at any number of institutions.

Among them was West Fairmont’s Jerry Kelly.

Kelly, along with family members and West head coach J.L. Abbott, signed to continue his football career at Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouse Boston College.

“I am very excited, nervous and happy all at once,” Kelly, sporting a new long-sleeved T-shirt emblazoned with the BC logo, said. “This is a big moment for me, the community and our school.”

Kelly was the only Marion County athlete to sign with a Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I) school. He is also the first Polar Bear to sign to continue his playing career at that level since Chad Wable committed to West Virginia in 1994.

“I think it’s a great accomplishment, but being the only one doesn’t make it more or less special for me. If seven other people were going D-I, I would be just as excited.”

Kelly excelled at both running back and linebacker for the Polar Bears. He rushed for 1,178 yards his senior season along with 16 rushing TDs and over 3,000 yards for his career.

He’s not sure where the Eagles’ coaches will want him to play, but he’s willing to do whatever’s asked of him.

“They didn’t tell me if they wanted me as a linebacker or running back,” he said. “I’d prefer to run the ball, but if I can help my team by being a linebacker, then that’s what I’ll do. It’s about helping the team.

Kelly’s mother — Joy Kelly-Woods — and Coach Abbott were pleased Kelly had a chance to continue his football career.

“I’m very proud of him,” Kelly-Woods said. “He’s a good student, a good athlete and I’m sure he’ll make Boston College very proud that he’s part of their team.”

Abbott had little doubt his star running back would be able to play at college football’s uppermost level.

“I knew Jerry was a D-I player,” he said. “Nothing he’s done has really surprised me. My staff and I are very excited, and coach Jared Mileto puts together an excellent highlight DVD for the boys to send off.

“I had a blast through the whole recruiting process, though I know Jerry’s ear is about to fall off from all the calls and text messages he was getting. It’s one of the joys of my job to see one of our players get to the next level.”

Kelly originally planned to major in sports management, but Boston College doesn’t offer that degree.

“I’m going to have to do some searching and figure out what I want to do,” he said.

As for being so far away from home, Kelly was quick to extinguish any thoughts of the distance creating problems.

“It won’t be a problem,” said the senior, who took the first flight of his life last week on an official visit to BC. “They make airplanes, buses and trains. I can get home, and my family can come to me.

“I’m very excited to get up there and get to work,” Kelly said. “I took a visit up there and fell in love with the atmosphere, the coaches and the academic program. After getting to know them, the decision became a whole lot easier.”

E-mail Mike Bowen at mbowen@timeswv.com.

        

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