Nov. 15, 2007

By Bill Hass
theACC.com

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Aaron Kelly expects the atmosphere to be "electric" Saturday night when Clemson takes on Boston College for the Atlantic Division title and a spot in the 2007 Dr Pepper ACC Championship Game.

Don't be surprised if Kelly supplies a lot of the voltage for the Tigers.

A fourth-year junior, Kelly has been a key figure in Clemson's recent hot streak. In the last five games, four of them victories, he has caught 39 passes for 499 yards and eight touchdowns. For the season he ranks second in the ACC with 67 receptions, first with 841 receiving yards and first by far with 11 touchdown catches.

"I'm just making the most of my opportunities whenever the ball is thrown my way," he said. "I'm a lot better now in terms of how to read coverages because I've learned more about football each year. Physically, each year I've gotten a little bit bigger and stronger and been able to polish my skills."

Kelly has already set a Clemson record for TD receptions in a season. With 16 for his career, he can break that one with three more. By the time he wraps up his senior year in 2008, he should own virtually all of the Tigers' receiving marks.

But those are distant goals. Right now he's consumed with the significance of the Boston College game. The Tigers have faded in previous Novembers, unable to put themselves in this position since the ACC went to division play in 2005.

"It's exciting, a new type of feeling, and we don't want to waste it," Kelly said. "This is my fourth year in the program and this is our first time to really have a chance at going to the ACC championship and doing something that hasn't been done here in a long time. You don't want to miss out on this opportunity because you don't know when it will come again."

One of the intriguing aspects of this game will be the match-up of the Eagles' secondary, which leads the ACC with 18 interceptions, against Clemson's receiving corps. Under the leadership of quarterback Cullen Harper, who has 26 TD passes against just four interceptions, the Tigers lead the league in passing efficiency.

Kelly is a big reason for that, but not the only one. Some teams try to double him with a cornerback underneath and a safety on top, which opens things for receivers like Tyler Grisham (45 catches, four TDs) or tight ends Brian Linthicum and Michael Palmer (combined 19 catches, four TDs). If a linebacker takes a step or two in Kelly's direction, Harper can audible to a running play and the extra room means James Davis or C.J. Spiller might pop a long run.

And Kelly isn't that easy to find. The Tigers put him near the sideline one play, then to the wide side of the field and sometimes in the slot. They get the ball to him on screen passes, deep routes and quick throws. He's going to get his touches, shown by the fact that he has at least five catches in all but one game this season.

"Aaron Kelly is so darn productive, plus he's got great size and speed," said Eagles coach Jeff Jagodzinski. "We're going to just try to contain those guys. I don't think you can stop them, (just try to) not give up the big play."

Kelly's size is vertical, not horizontal. He's 6-5 and about 195 pounds, a receiver in the physical mold of someone like Randy Moss. Coach Tommy Bowden said he has never had a receiver who looks quite like Kelly.

"His body is really unique," Bowden said. "It's not a really muscular body; he's a tall, lean guy. We had Rod Gardner here a few years ago, a first-round draft pick, but he was a little heavier and had a little more physical presence with his body. But (Kelly's) body, there's not a lot of definition to it, but he's very durable."

That's because Kelly has gradually put on about 30 pounds since he arrived at Clemson.

"I've worked hard in the weight room," Kelly said. "I came here weighing 160-some pounds and now I'm 190-some pounds. Being as tall as I am, most of the weight I've put on has all been muscle. The more weight and strength that I gain helps me take some of the hits that I've gotten this year."

In high school, Kelly grew about a foot in his four years and didn't play much football until he was a senior. Then he caught the attention of several ACC teams with his ability to go up and catch the ball. He picked Clemson because he liked the Tigers' downfield passing game.

Clemson assistant Dabo Swinney liked him as a kickoff and punt return man with the potential to be a good receiver. But, at 160 pounds, Swinney knew Kelly would need work in the weight room, where he spent much of his red-shirt season.

He made an impact as a red-shirt freshman in 2005, catching 47 passes for 575 yards and two touchdowns and returning kickoffs, including one for 81 yards against Georgia Tech. Last season he caught 30 balls for 355 yards and three scores.

In his third year on the field, Kelly is playing with his third quarterback - Charlie Whitehurst as a freshman, Will Proctor as a sophomore and now Harper. He has had to adjust to a different throwing style and personality each season, but he and Harper have clicked from the start.

"To tell the truth I was happy when Cullen earned the starting job," Kelly said, "because he's someone I had already caught passes from. I knew what type of person he was and what he expected. It was tough going from quarterback to quarterback but when Cullen got the job, I already knew what he was about."

Their rapport started four years ago. They're both from the Atlanta area and after Harper committed to Clemson in the summer, he started calling Kelly and went to see him play a game. They roomed together on their recruiting visit. After signing day, Harper suggested they start working out together.

They continued to throw and catch with each other after practice during their redshirt season. Even after Kelly got on the field the next year, he would still run routes and catch balls from Harper.

"We started building a relationship to where now I know what he's thinking and he kind of knows what I'm thinking as well," Harper said. "We're definitely on the same page when we're on the field. It's a great relationship. He brings so much to the table with his height, his athletic ability, I really just feel if I can get the ball in his vicinity, he can go up and make a great catch, so my confidence in him is just through the roof.

"He'll go up and catch the ball in traffic, he's not afraid to get hit. He's the perfect receiver, in my opinion. He has caught just about every ball I've thrown him this year. It's incredible. He's made a lot of catches out there this year where it might not have been the best throw in the world, but he has made me look good numerous times."

Kelly said he has learned to use his size to get in front of defenders and attack the ball, getting to it before shorter players can reach it.

"Cullen does a great job," Kelly said. "I just tell him to put the ball in my area and I'll go get it for him. I think he's got a lot of confidence that I'll do that for him. I think we do have the kind of relationship where he's not afraid to throw the ball before I come out of a break. "

Because Kelly was a starter just one year in high school, his "football IQ" was limited when he got to Clemson. Even as a red-shirt freshman, Swinney said, Kelly was making plays while not really understanding what was going on around him.

That has changed dramatically.

"His commitment to the game has changed everything for him," Swinney said. "He's an extremely talented route-runner, he understands break points and how to influence defenders. He does a super job with his release off the press at the line of scrimmage and he has a tremendous burst out of his cuts to create that separation.

"His knowledge, his technique, his fundamentals are so much better than when he was playing as a red-shirt freshman. Now he sees the big picture and understands what's happening with the offense, the runners, the protection and all those things. He's a very knowledgeable player now and a very confident player. You put that with effort and you get a consistent player."

Swinney said Kelly's commitment changed when he decided to do more than was required to be a good player and started doing things to be a great one. He was diligent in his off-season weight work, was a dominant player in spring practice and again when pre-season practice started in August.

"Without question, he's a great example of what hard work can do for somebody," Swinney said. "It's good to see him get the rewards that he deserves. He's always been a good player but he has taken it to an all-conference level this year. He's just scraping the surface of what he can be. I think he can be as good as I've ever coached."

Swinney likes Kelly's work ethic, the flexibility that enables him to get his body in positions ordinary receivers can't, his burst off the line and change of direction. And Kelly adds another dimension.

"I think my knowledge of the game can always get better," he said. "It's something that you can always improve."

Kelly and his teammates will put that to full use Saturday night. Although he believes a balanced attack will be the key for Clemson, Kelly is ready to supply his part of the electricity.

"It will be a big challenge for us just like it is every week," Swinney said. "Hopefully when it's all said and done, No. 80 will have his touches and we'll come out with another win."

Bill Hass is a long-time observer of ACC sports. His career at the Greensboro News & Record spanned 36 years, from 1969 until his retirement in March, 2006. He is now writing "Bill Hass on the ACC" for theACC.com. His weekly columns will keep fans plugged in to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

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