New position fun for Warbirds Kelly
July 2, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Dayton Bulldogs News Release
DAYTON, Ohio - There is always something intriguing about finding talent for indoor football. In many cases, they come to a team by mistake, despite all the scouting information one may have on an individual, the player may just fall in your lap.
That may have been the case for Yusef Kelly (pronounced U-sef) out of Clemson. Recommended by a highly regarded scouting service, it took the keen eye of a player personnel type and a head coach, in the National Indoor Football League, to realize the potential of this young man.
"He just jumped out as quite an athlete and I thought with his body he could play linebacker," said Dayton Warbirds head coach Matt King. "And, it didn't take long to realize what he could do on the field."
The 6-foot, 230-pound Kelly, from Waterboro, South Carolina, came on the radar screen just two weeks ago. He had only one legitimate practice with the Warbirds before last Saturday's final home thumping of the River City Rage, 67-46.
He wants to be even more ready for the Dayton (8-6) Warbirds' first-round NIFL playoff game Saturday at Fayetteville, N.C. against the Guard (7-7).
Against the Rage, Yusef was phenomenal for a first-time linebacker. He had 7.5 total tackles; one was a sack for a four-yard loss, a fumble recovery and three quarterback hurries.
"Coach King said because they lost a linebacker (Joe Cooper) he would like to see how I do at the position," said the former Tigers' running back. "It (the game) really surprised me. It was much quicker than I had realized."
"Indoor football was more fun than I thought," he added. "I got to fly around and chase people. I didn't realize I had five assists because I think I missed four other tackles."
Kelly had not played any other position than running back and quarterback since high school, so the experience of working from the middle on defense was all new.
"I know that I would have to learn a defensive position because if I want to get to one of the next levels of indoor football, I have to play on both sides of the ball," said Yusef. "I guess I did okay."
"Okay, isn't even to close to what he did for Dayton in that one game. He has tremendous quickness and seemed to be comfortable in the position," quipped King.
Kelly said he was "comfortable" for several reasons, especially because his friend, Ken Johnson came to the Warbirds at the same time as he did. "Ken and I played three years at Clemson, so I think he helped me settle in because we knew each other."
Johnson, a wide receiver, transferred his senior season to the University West Georgia and was one of the late editions to the Warbirds' 30-man, playoff roster last week.
Kelly in 2004, with the Tigers played in 10 games, had 38 carries and 109 yards as a backup tailback also had a pair of receptions for 28 yards. He had nearly 1,000 yards in his Clemson career.
His career highs were 99 yards in 21 carries against Ball State in 2002 and in 2003 had 88 yards on 25 totes and a score in win against #24-ranked Virginia.
"One of the biggest things in the indoor game is being able to wear a shield," said Yusef of have a protective, clear helmet shield. "They were not allowed in the SEC and was always concerned about getting poked in the eye. The other thing it helps against the glare of the lights and in the arenas it can be difficult to see at time looking into those lights."
Besides coach King, Hector Gonzalez worked with the scouting service to acquire many of the late signers. So, Kelly and Johnson are a part of an outstanding group of young men who "love the game" and continue to have the dream of playing at an even higher level.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from July 2, 2005
- New position fun for Warbirds Kelly - Dayton Bulldogs
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