Interview: Ricky Town’s Commitment to Arkansas does not Affect Cole Kelley’s Commitment to Hogs

Written by Ryan Wright

Easy to say Cole Kelley never gets phased, that is on or off the field. The Class of 2016 quarterback passed in the neighborhood of 3,000 yards with 31 touchdowns a year ago for Teurlings Catholic leading the Rebels to a 9-2 record.

The 6’7”, 245 pound, pro-style quarterback is back for his senior year in Lafayette with a mission to win a Louisiana high school state championship. With the season starting on Sept. 4 against powerhouse Calvary Baptist, Kelley is locked in and ready to go. That on the field focus held true to his commitment to Arkansas even after the announcement on Friday of the addition of Class of 2015 quarterback Ricky Town to the Razorbacks’ roster.

Town was the No. 5 rated quarterback in the 2015 class. The 6’4”, 210 pound, quarterback was an early enrollee at USC going through spring practices and the first two weeks of fall camp before seeking a transfer. The top two schools Town was interested in was Arkansas and Florida.

The quarterback talent that will be in Fayetteville before Kelley arrives sometime during the summer of 2016 also includes the No. 6 ranked quarterback in the 2015 class, Ty Storey.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I caught up with Cole on Friday to get his thoughts on the Rebels upcoming season and how Town’s commitment to Arkansas may effect his decision to head to Arkansas.

Interview
Cole, first, how did offseason workouts go for you over the summer?

“We just worked on getting better in general on offense. We have some new guys coming in at wide receiver so I’ve been working with them. Personally, I worked on my speed development and my footwork in the pocket mostly.”

How did that go? Mission accomplished?

“I could be a little lighter right now weight wise which would help, but I’m getting there. It has taken a little longer than I thought. At the same time I really do feel that my feet got a lot quicker.”

How much are you weighing now?

“I’m at about 245. I weighed about 265 when I visited Arkansas this summer.”

How do the Rebels look heading into your first game against Calvary?

“I think we’re going to be a very good team. We have a lot of athleticism and we work hard in the weight room. If we keep progressing and start fixing some little mistakes we are making we can have a really good chance this year.”

Since you’ve committed to Arkansas have any schools been making a run at you?

“Not really, there have been some letters, and every once in a while a message on Twitter from some coaches but nothing big. Since I’ve committed it has slowed down a lot.”

I’m assuming you heard the news out of Arkansas today about Ricky Town?

“I knew he was on campus. Did he commit or something?

Yeah he committed to Arkansas today.

“I talked to Coach Bielema last night. I told him this throughout, that doesn’t effect me. Once someone gets to know me they learn that I’m a very confident person. I try to stay humble but I’m a very positive person. I’m not worried about it. I just focus on myself and whatever’s best for Arkansas is best for Arkansas and they have to make those big decisions.”

Anything else going on that I should ask you about? Have you grown another couple of inches? Are you 6-foot 8-inches or 6-foot 9-inches yet?

“(laughing) No. Nothing spectacular has happened. I’m still 6-foot 7.”

Good luck this season. We’ll be watching.

“Thanks.”

Photo credit: Cole Kelley; Cole Kelley at Arkansas with coaching staff and family.