Interview: Breakout Season Ahead for 2022 California QB Bo Kelly
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2019 season has fans of Dana Hills High School thinking “what if?” A year ago, rising Class of 2022 quarterback Bo Kelly (5-11, 185) split snaps with senior quarterback Zackary Saavedra early until taking over the job fully near the end of the schedule. In his first start he threw for 278 yards with four touchdowns. Through what amounted to seven games played in the Dolphins 6-4 season, Kelly threw for 1,033 yards with seven touchdowns. With Kelly’s strong arm and emerging abilities as a dual-threat within their Spread offense, the Dolphins are looking for a league title and CIF banners in 2020.
After seeing Kelly spinning it at the QB Throw Down Camp in Las Vegas, an invite for a sit-down Q&A interview was sent out to cover his growing talents and goals for his junior campaign.
Interview
Bo, when you want to sling it downfield on the line you’ve got that Saturday throw in the playbook. With your arm strength, does any of that come from playing other sports besides football?
Yeah, I think a lot has to do with playing other sports, especially baseball. I also play baseball and basketball, the footwork from basketball and arm strength from baseball helps my football game.
What offense were you running with the Dolphins in 2019?
We ran a Spread.
How does the Spread fit your style of play?
I think it helps my style a lot. We use my arm strength and mobility to stretch out the defense. One of my better attributes is with my arm making those outside throws downfield.
You just mentioned those outside throws downfield, when you wrapped up your sophomore season, what did you feel were some of the other overall strengths to your game as a field general?
I think coming in as a sophomore, we had a senior starting quarterback, winning over a team showed that my leadership was a strong thing. As mentioned, my arm strength, getting the ball out quick, and making the right decisions. Another thing I do well is keeping the play alive. I did not get sacked at all last season.
You were splitting snaps with Class of 2020 quarterback Zackary Saavedra last year, will you split series with a QB this upcoming season?
I will not. I won the starting job end of last season. This season I will not split reps.
To prepare mentally for the 2020 season, what have you been doing to expand your football IQ?
With the extended offseason, I am getting far ahead in the playbook. I know it like the back of my hand now. My offensive coordinator and I are on the same page and working together as much as possible. As much as I can expand my IQ, I am doing the same with our receivers and offensive linemen. Without them knowing all of this stuff, I cannot do as much. We also have to be on the same page. I am keeping everyone along with me during this offseason.
Which technical areas of your game have you focused on this spring and summer?
This offseason I have spent a lot of time in the weight room. I have added 10 pounds of muscle and improved my 40 time from a 5.3 to a 4.9. The biggest thing for me last year was my footwork was lacking. I had the arm strength, now I am getting my footwork down with my arm. With my improved footwork, it is making my accuracy better. Another focus has been reading defenses better.
A couple of weeks ago I got to see you ripping it at the QB Throw Down Camp in Las Vegas. How did the camp go for you overall?
I think it went very well, I finished in the finals at the end. At that camp, I was surrounded by a lot of good talent. I was one of the only kids who did not have a D-I offer, “Dart” (Dartanyon Moussiaux – camp top performer) and I. I showed what I bring to the table. My head coach at that camp was Missouri’s quarterback coach (Bush Hamdan). With him watching, I showed that I can compete with the top quarterbacks in the nation. Drew Locke and Kelly Bryant, he has coached them. It was an honor being coached by him; I felt like I belonged.
What were some of the things you learned at the camp that will help you during your junior season?
With the QBIQ System, when I went to Elite 11 last year I talked to the coach that runs that part of the camp. We sat down and went over it then. In Las Vegas, that was my second time going over the presentation. This time I picked up more on what to do based on pre-snap reads. I learned which routes work against different coverages.
Nice. Last question for you. Once the 2020 season begins, what goals have you set for yourself?
With passing yards, I want to get to 4,000 yards; I am aiming for that. My biggest goal is to have a high completion percentage. To do that, I am not going for the deep shot as much this year but looking for the short or intermediate routes to move the chains. The plan is to put the ball in the receivers’ hands and let them make plays. Another goal is to up my rushing yards, my workouts will help with that. My team goals are to win league and CIF, those are the team goals I think we can do this year.
Bo, it was great spending time with you getting a rundown on your game and workouts. Wishing you and the team continued success this fall preparing for the 2020 schedule.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Kelly family; Bo Kelly