Tulane lands local running back standout

Located in the heart of New Orleans, Tulane doesn't have to go far to find quality talent for its football team. Actually getting that talent to stay home is not as easy. However Tulane was able to do just that with a top area running back on Tuesday with the commitment of New Orleans (La.) O.P. Walker running back Robert Kelley.

Kelley recently picked up an offer from Tulane but had yet to visit the campus. This afternoon, Kelley had an opportunity to take that visit and quickly committed.

"I committed today," Kelley said Tuesday afternoon. "It's close to home and I think I have a chance to play early there. I had been thinking about it and when I went and saw their campus I made the decision."

Among the aspects of the tour that interested Kelley were the facilities and the academic support.

"I liked the study hall and stuff," he said. "They were telling you that they have somebody there to help you with class. And the weight room was real organized and stuff."

With that decision in the rear view mirror now, Kelley is likely going to stick with the hometown program and just focus on his high school season.

"I think it'll make the season go a lot better now that I'm already stable with that," he said. "Now all I have to worry about is football and keeping my grades up. I'm just working out and doing 7on7 type of stuff."

Kelley estimates that he rushed for around 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. He was also a standout at the Nike Football Training Camp in Baton Rouge.