New Peachtree Ridge era begins with 2026 QB Darnell Kelly in the pocket
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Last fall Darnell Kelly cut his varsity high school football teeth going against Georgia competition at Langston Hughes. Anticipation is building for the new schedule with Kelly (6-2, 175) taking over the starting reins at Peachtree Ridge High School (Suwanee). The 2026 QB is ready to rip it in the Lions’ pass-heavy attack after impressive showings at summer camps.
The stage is set for a statistic-friendly season.
“We run a Spread offense, an Air Raid,” Kelly said. “We get the ball out quickly and throw deep sometimes. We run an RPO (run-pass option).”
Kelly has been working with his new crew and on developing his skills.
“I have been working on my footwork, learning coverages, and getting better and better every day,” Kelly stated. “And I’ve been working on my leadership, and my chemistry with the new receivers and my offensive linemen.”
Kelly added, “I feel like my footwork is getting way better. I am reading coverages better than last year; I am starting this year; I am way better with reading. This offseason I have been watching film and working on my mechanics.”
At the Southern Exposure Camp held at Central Gwinnett High School on July 29, Kelly showed off the arm and the legs.
“I feel like it went well,” Kelly stated. “I ran a 4.7 40, threw some great balls, and I had a great time overall at the camp.”
Kelly continued, “We did an individual session, ladder drills, cone drills and shuffling, hip movements, and standing still throwing to the other QBs.”
Darnell Kelly with the Florida Gators.
College programs also got a first-hand look at Kelly’s arm talents this summer.
“I went to Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky,” Kelly said. “We went on a high school tour and competed at 7-on-7 camps.”
Slinging it in Athens in front of the Bulldogs’ staff earned Kelly some extra time with the coaches.
“I think my best was the Georgia camp, because I ran a good time and I was invited to a private workout with the Georgia coaches,” Kelly shared. “I talked with coach Kirby Smart and coach (Mike) Bobo (OC/QB).”
Holding an offer from Nicholls State, interest is brewing for Kelly.
“Florida, Miami, and Georgia are showing interest, and when I was at Langston, LSU and Coastal Carolina were showing interest,” Kelly stated.
Separate from the camps, the Gators hosted Kelly giving him a behind-the-scenes look at life as a Florida player.
“We toured the campus, and I sat down with their QB coach (Ryan O’Hara) and their head coach (Billy Napier), sat in a meeting, and took pictures,” Kelly said. “They were asking me questions about film and the type of offense I run.”
The schedule of the Lions begins on Aug. 18 with a home game against the Seckinger Jaguars.