John Kelly is one of the SEC’s best running backs.
And when you’re one of the best in anything among SEC competition, that means you’re nationally elite.
Pro Football Focus tweeted out some analysis of Kelly, showing that he’s one of the best running backs in America at making defenders miss.
Draft-eligible leaders in missed tackles forced: No. 3 – Tennessee's John Kelly.https://t.co/cHDN6AkTQx pic.twitter.com/VpCumOpgVL
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 20, 2017
Kelly has 552 yards on 113 carries so far this season. That’s good for nearly five yards per carry. And he’s gained that yardage behind an inconsistent offensive line that has new players on the field almost every week.
Kelly’s elite when it comes to gaining extra yardage despite pressure in the backfield. He’s been able to overcome the lack of solid run blocking all season.
College Football Film Room agrees that Kelly has a special skill for breaking tackles.
Tennessee RB John Kelly is forcing a missed tackle once every 3.2 rush attempts – best rate in the SEC pic.twitter.com/iOFF5npI6w
— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) October 13, 2017
A big part of that is just the amount of pressure Kelly faces. But he’s also shown the ability to shed tacklers in open space as well.
For example, this first down run against South Carolina shows just how good Kelly is at making guys miss no matter where he is on the field.
“Get off me.” – John Kelly pic.twitter.com/nFiR4HJyFY
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 14, 2017
No, the Vols haven’t found the endzone in the last ten quarters. But if Butch Jones simply hands the ball off to Kelly in short yardage situations, Tennessee could finally find the endzone sooner rather than later.
