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John Kelly takes over lead role for Run CMG

Dan Harralson

By Dan Harralson

Published:

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — John Kelly, who came to Tennessee in the 2015 recruiting class, emerged as a playmaker for the Vols last season and it started in College Station, Texas.

In a double-overtime defeat, Kelly rushed for 89 yards and scored one touchdown alongside Alvin Kamara against Texas A&M. The duo came together when Jalen Hurd missed his initial game before eventually departing the program.

The defeat was the Vols’ first of the 2016 season, but marked the beginning of Kelly’s career in the spotlight. Although the Detroit product scored a touchdown in a last minute effort in a blowout win over Virginia Tech at the Battle at Bristol – and produced 165 yards on 40 carries and scored one touchdown as freshman in 2015 – Kelly showed he could handle a showcase role against the Aggies, placing himself in a position to lead the latest edition of Run CMG.

Now the Vols leading returning rusher, with 795 career yards and six career touchdowns later in limited action, Kelly is embracing being the first guy up and teaching others around him. Leadership is part of his makeup and he is not shying away from the role.

“I am just embracing the whole teacher role now and trying to show all the younger guys how things are supposed to be done,” Kelly said. “I know what Coach (Robert) Gillespie, Coach (Butch) Jones and Coach (Larry) Scott expect from us, so I’m trying to hold all these guys to a higher standard, as well. I want these guys to hear what I’m saying and I want them to be able to feel me, as well. It’s kind of a lot of tough love with the offensive guys and the defensive guys and I just get on everyone.

“Also, to improve my game, too, because I know I’m going to be taking a lot more reps than I have in the past year. So that’s really what I’ve been focusing on (this spring).”

Behind Kelly on the depth chart is Carlin Fils-Aime, Taeler Dowdy, Stedman Love, Jayson Sparks and Chip Omer. Ty Chandler, Trey Coleman and Timothy Jordan also signed in the 2017 recruiting class.

“Taeler Dowdy has been working extremely hard,” Kelly said. “They’re all starting to get their feet wet and get a chance to take some hits. We have some young, strong guys.”

Kelly can sum his 2017 goals in one word – wins.

“I’m trying to help win as many games as possible,” he said.

One part of Kelly’s game that mirrors Kamara’s is his ability to be a dual threat by making plays with his hands out of the backfield. The junior mentioned his traits following four practices into spring ball by saying, “definitely, I have the hands.”

Butch Jones also elaborated on his junior running back taking over Run CMG.

“Consistency, a great competitor,” Jones said of Kelly. “His great passion for his teammates, as we all know he has great energy and I think everyone feeds off of his energy. He’s one of many right now that are trying to lead.”

Jones said of Kelly’s role down the stretch last season is of “an individual that’s waited his turn and he was ready when his turn came – and that speaks volumes for him. He didn’t feel sorry for himself, he waited and worked for his opportunity and earned it. I think the confidence we have in him and the confidence he has in himself has benefited in playing time.”

Dan Harralson

Dan Harralson covers Tennessee football for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Dan on Twitter @danharralson.

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