Indiana Football
Monday, March 30, 2009
Spotlight: Connor Kelley – Batesville
By Dan Clasgens | Managing Editor
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The Tri-state area is loaded with many talented and skilled quarterbacks. However, there are few in the area as well rounded as Batesville’s Connor Kelley.
The stats don’t tell the story with this 17-year old. Playing in Batesville’s Wing-T offense, Kelley has rushed and passed for 17 total touchdowns in two years as a starter. In addition, when the team needed help he moved from free safety to strong safety, a more physical position.
“I love the physical aspect of that position - jamming the tight end and hitting people. I don't shy away from contact,” Kelley claims. “But, my real love is quarterback. I get to follow a clear plan, but I can still improvise and make decisions on the fly based on what the defense allows.”
It’s no surprise that Kelley eagerly tackles the challenge and commitment it takes to be a quarterback. He has a good head on his shoulders and clear goals for himself on and off the football field.
His efforts at quarterback and in the classroom have not gone unnoticed. Kelley recently returned from a recruiting trip up East to visit some Ivy and Patriot League schools. At this point he is leaning towards majoring in biology and maybe pre-med.
“I've now had unofficial visits at Dartmouth, Harvard and Yale. This weekend I go to Princeton and University of Pennsylvania to watch spring practice and meet coaches,” Kelley said. “Two weeks later, I will go to Colgate and do the same thing. I have been offered roster spots by two schools so far.”
He is trying to figure out his summer camp schedule right now and working on getting a few more tapes out there, so a college decision still appears to be some time away.
There’s more to being a good quarterback than just athletic ability and intelligence. Leadership is also a quality that is must. Kelley has demonstrated that he is a natural leader.
He started a tutoring program at the Batesville Primary School where a he and fellow players walk over at lunch to the school and work with kids on reading. In addition, Kelley plays guitar to relax and also plays in the school combo that accompanies the Batesville Singers.
Kelley knows that he must lead by example. That is why he is usually the first one at practice and the last one to leave. Being a leader off the field is equally important to him as executing on the field.
“It's just as important as anything I do once the ball is snapped,” Kelly said in regards to how he carries himself. “The actual plays only last a few seconds, so maybe 95 % of what I do does NOT involve an actual play on the field.”
The Bulldogs finished 2008 with a 5-5 record, 2-4 in the EIAC. However, a strong senior class and key players returning at several marquee positions has raised the optimism for the 2009 season at Batesville High School.
Kelley already has set his goals for next season and knows that he needs to improve for the team to get better. He is working with the Darin Slack QB Academy in hopes of improving his mechanics, foot work, and decision-making ability. He is expecting big improvement for himself and his team during his senior season.
“My goal is to keep improving and be the best quarterback, B-Backer (name of the outside linebacker position that I will be playing next year) and teammate I can be,” Kelley claimed. “For the team, I think I speak for everyone when I say that we want to win every game, one at a time.”
Dan Clasgens is the founder of TriStateFootball.com and serves as the President/Director of Media & Content for GetSports Enterprises. He has been a featured sports analyst on local radio and television for the past five years. He serves as the Managing Editor for TriStateFootball.com and our sister website, QueenCityHigh.com. If you are interested in covering your team, please CONTACT US.
