ESPN insider article
Early Offer: Xavier Kelly Wichita’s next big thing?
By Jeremy Crabtree | ESPN Insider
While it might not be as deep as other cities in the Midlands, Wichita has a great reputation with recruiters, producing top prospects such as Kamerion Wimbley, Arthur Brown and Bryce Brown since 2000. Next on the list is likely to be defensive end Xavier Kelly.
1. Moments after leading Wichita (Kansas) East to the Kansas Class 6A state basketball championship on Saturday with 22 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, Xavier Kelly jumped in his car and headed down Interstate 35 toward Dallas. Kelly arrived almost 6 hours later and was able to get a little bit of rest before Sunday's The Opening regional camp at Arlington (Texas) Lamar High School.
Xavier Kelly measured in at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds and clocked a 4.55-second time in the 40-yard dash.
The rest was enough to help Kelly put on a performance he'll never forget. The defensive end measured in at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds and clocked a 4.55-second time in the 40-yard dash. He also did well in drill work and had several impressive repetitions during one-on-ones. By the end of the day, several of the top Texas offensive linemen were asking out loud "who is that guy from Kansas?"
"I had a really good weekend," Kelly said. "I ran a lot quicker than I thought I would. I've been doing a little bit of training, but to come out and run that well after the basketball tournament was a pretty special feeling. I thought I would do well, but it's really good for my confidence to make it happen."
Kelly committed to Kansas State last November, and he says he picked the Wildcats because both he and his family "love Manhattan," but that hasn't stopped other schools from showing interest in him. He recently picked up an offer from Michigan and Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Oregon and Texas Tech also extended tenders to him. Look for that list to also grow as we progress into spring, especially once word gets out about his performance this past weekend.
"Whatever I do, my commitment is going to be a family decision," he said. "I want to make sure I'm at a place where my family and I feel comfortable. Right now, that place is Kansas State. I feel the best about them and my family would love to see me there. I don't know if that'll change. That's something I'll have to talk about as we go through the spring and if more schools offer me."
