Georgia LB/DE a top junior
LaGrange is traditionally one of the hot spots for talent each year in the Peach State, and the Class of 2005 is no exception.
The defending Class 3A state champions will return up to five Division I prospects next year. One of the headliners will be linebacker/defensive end Braxton Kelly.
Advertisement
As a junior, Kelly (6-2, 222, 4.7) led the Grangers with 144 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. His unit allowed only seven points per game and recorded six shutouts on the season.
“He made every all-state team we have down here,” said LaGrange coach Steve Pardue. “He’s a kid who plays hard every snap, never takes a play off, and he makes plays from sideline to sideline. He’s really hard to block. He’s got a great motor.
“He runs around 4.7 in the 40, but he’s one of those kids who plays faster than that, if you know what I mean. He’s got good instincts, and that helps him be in the right place at the right time more often than not.”
According to Pardue, Kelly is already drawing a lot of interest from “all across the South.”
“He doesn't have any official offers right now, but we’re just now sending more film out on him,” he said. “He ought to be getting a lot of attention before too long. He’s a player.”