It is not easy to start for a varsity football team as a sophomore. Especially in the city of Chandler and especially if you play quarterback.
But Basha quarterback Ryan Kelley did so in 2014 and passed with flying colors throwing for over 3,100 yards and 30 touchdowns leading the Bears into the second round of the playoffs.
It was a good for a first year and great considering he was just a sophomore, but now with a year of experience under his belt and no being considered an upperclassman, he is looking to take the next step taking everything he learned back out onto the field.
“I learned a lot about everything,” said Kelley. “More about the game, more about my teammates. It was a great year and I look forward to next season.”
With those learning experiences in the back of his mind, spring football practice provides a chances for Kelley to key in on specific focuses on the field with his teammates.
“Getting better with footwork, running a little bit and getting faster,” explained Kelley.
It has been a busy offseason for Kelley. In addition to working out with his teammates, he has participated in national camps such as the Rivals Camp as well as the Elite 11 in Los Angeles.
“I took away a lot from the camps,” Kelley stated. “I think I am getting better with footwork. Mainly focusing on that at these camps.
Through work at these national camps and now during spring evaluation period, College coaches are beginning to come in and express to Kelley their interest and what they like.
“The Coaches are saying how they are fired up about me,” he mentioned. “They say they will be watching me and I am on their radars.”
Arizona State was the first to offer Kelley which remains his only offer for now. But schools like Texas A&M, UCLA, Cal and North Carolina have been in contact with him.
“They say that they are interested and are ready to watch me next season and throughout seven-on-seven and spring ball,” Kelley said.
As for his Basha football team, spring ball provides a great time for him and his teammates which include many more young players coming up the ranks that look to breakout in 2015, to get on the same page and work toward improving off of last season.
“I think we are all bonding really well,” Kelley states. “We have new receivers so to get our rhythm down and timing and all of that stuff.”
