Hot start for Georgia 2026 QB Darnell Kelly, three new offers received
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When you get the keys to the car, you want to see what it can do. For Darnell Kelly, the sophomore gunslinger is settling in easy behind the wheel at Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.) launching the Lions’ 2023 campaign to a 2-0 start against 7A competition. As Kelly (6-2, 175) spins it, he’s spreading it around the field at a 77 percent clip.
Entering the season there were high expectations coming out of Suwanee with Kelly driving the offense. So far, Kelly has met the expectations and then some operating the team’s Spread offense.
Asked, what has been working so well early leading to the success on the field, Kelly responded with, “I feel like I am taking what they give me, and that has been working. I’m reading the defense; if they are playing eight yards back, I’m going with a smoke screen or a hitch. We are dinking and dunking.
“I have to mention my coaches, teammates, and offensive line, they’ve had my back these past two games. I want to mention them.”
Kelly is settling into his role as a leader on offense, a role that has ESPN calling Kelly one of the top 2026 QB prospects in the Peach State along with Julian Lewis.
“I am getting the ball out quicker; I am getting a lot better with that,” Kelly stated. “With big 240-pound people coming at me, I have to get it out quick.”
Asked to cover his week-to-week preparations, Kelly shared, “Our scout team is really good; they help me a lot. I have been watching film, sitting down with my OC and working with him, and going over the game plan. Reading coverages is helping me a lot.”
Next up is Loganville for Peachtree Ridge. Another exciting game is going down against the Red Devils.
“I feel I should have a good passing game against Loganville,” Kelly stated. “It should be a good game; we will come out on top. My team will help me out.”
The explosiveness guiding the Lions offense has not gone unnoticed by college squads. Three new offers have been handed over to Kelly after Friday’s 44-36 win against Lanier.
“Florida A&M, Middle Tennessee, and Eastern Kentucky just offered me,” Kelly said.
How Kelly found out about the offers was explained, “They talked to my coach and FAMU got my mom on Facebook. Middle Tennessee and EKU went through my coaches, and he told me about the offers.”
Kelly continued talking about picking up the three offers, “It was a roller coaster, and I was happy. I was in the middle of a wing place when I got FAMU. Then I got Middle Tennessee and five minutes later I got EKU.”
SEC and ACC squads are now paying attention as well.
“I know Florida is showing interest and Miami is really big right now,” Kelly shared. “I have a lot of interest. LSU is showing interest. Miami has been on me.”
The Hurricanes are not hiding their interest in Kelly.
“I have received a lot of followers from their recruiting coordinators, and they’ve been watching my Hudl,” Kelly stated. “Miami’s head coach, coach (Mario) Cristobal, is following me on Twitter. I hope they might be next.”
Florida A&M and Middle Tennessee visits could pop up on Kelly’s travel itinerary in the coming weeks.
Through the two games, Kelly has hit 53 of 69 attempts for 607 yards with six touchdowns. He has also rushed four times for 36 yards.
*Click the link for the Aug. 5 RNG interview wtih Darnell Kelly.
Photo credit: Straight Shooting Media