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In two outstanding seasons at BYU, linebacker Jack Kelly played so well that new Cougars defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga called the Kearns High product and Weber State transfer \u201cone of the best linebackers in BYU history.\u201d <\/p>\n
That\u2019s high praise, considering that Poppinga himself played linebacker for BYU back in 2006 and 2007 after transferring to Provo from Utah State. Also, NFL stars Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Van Noy of the Baltimore Ravens and Sione Takitaki of the Minnesota Vikings played the position at BYU.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt is too early (to predict) where I will go. The whole process has been surreal. But through it all, I have been blessed. I will just keep my faith in God, knowing that everything happens for a reason. I will just live it up while I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 \u00a0former BYU lineback Jack Kelly<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Now it is Jack Kelly\u2019s turn to show what he can do in the NFL. <\/p>\n
The burly, 6-foot-2, 242-pound first-team All-Big 12 performer almost certainly be the first BYU player taken in the NFL draft<\/a>, which begins Thursday in Pittsburgh. Kelly quite possibly could be the only BYU player drafted, after the school was shut out of the draft last year for the first time since 2020.<\/p>\n
The first round is Thursday, while rounds two and three will be held Friday and rounds four through seven will be held Saturday. BYU\u2019s other top draft possibilities are tight end Carsen Ryan<\/a>, receiver Chase Roberts<\/a> and cornerback Mory Bamba, who, like Kelly, really helped himself at BYU\u2019s pro day.<\/p>\n
Most mock drafts have Kelly going anywhere from late third round (Chad Reuter of NFL.com) to the New England Patriots to late sixth round (USA Today\/CBS Sports) to a variety of teams.<\/p>\n
One of the most preeminent mock draft authors, Dane Brugler of The Athletic, says Kelly could go in the fourth round, No. 135 overall, to the Pittsburgh Steelers.<\/p>\n
That would be interesting, considering that the draft is in the Steel City this year. Kelly certainly has that hard-nosed and gritty toughness for which the franchise is known. In other words, he\u2019s got a little bit of Jack Lambert in him, according to Poppinga.<\/p>\n