New three-offer Tampa Plant 2026 CB Dominick Kelly updates camp circuit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
ORLANDO, Fla. – The receivers and quarterbacks in the Miami area got a reprieve this offseason when 2026 cornerback Dominick Kelly (6-1, 170) took his talents from Northwestern to Tampa Plant. The skilled cover corner with speed has been giving a sneak preview of things to come this fall via a busy college camp circuit this summer.
Interest is accumulating for Kelly after receiving offers from Florida International, Western Michigan, and Grambling.
“I’ve had a few conversations with Illinois, Louisville, Penn State, and Vanderbilt; I’ve had multiple conversations with them,” Kelly said. “They want to see my film, that is why they did not offer. They will check me out this fall and come back to see me.”
The spike in recruiting attention was bolstered by camp performances at Florida State, Penn State, and a South Florida mega camp.
Kelly spoke about his top camp performances, “Probably the Florida State camp. That was a big camp with a lot of guys with names. I feel I competed well, and I showed that I can compete with the best, upper and lower classmen; all highly ranked. At the FSU camp, I was right there. I am big on not just going against guys in my class but the upperclassmen as well. At the DB Elite Showcase (Orlando), I was with the older group, and I ran with my group as well.”
Along the recruiting trail, the 4.0 GPA student-athlete is focused and on a fast track to graduating early.
“My goal is to graduate early going somewhere that matches my football skill and the importance of academics,” Kelly shared. “I am almost done with my credits; I plan to graduate next year.”
Back in Tampa, Kelly is getting situated with his new squad. Asked if his unverified 10.9 speed in the 100 will be used at positions outside of corner, Kelly responded, “I haven’t talked to my coaches about playing receiver yet, but I know I will be utilized on special teams. I am excited to work with coach Mike and see how he runs things.”
Over the spring months, Kelly got extra reps playing in 7-on-7 tournaments with Certified Dawgs and Team Tampa.
“Usually in the offseason I wrestle and focus on that, this was the first year on that circuit that I was able to play,” Kelly stated. “Moving up here, I wanted people to recognize me, and it is good to keep your skills fresh. It definitely helped.
“I’m training and lifting year-round. I train with Marcus Floyd. Coach Floyd has a good group of guys from college, high school, and some pro guys. I am working with him three times a week, that really helps my game.”
Kelly continued talking about his position specific training, “My trainer has me focused on being patient on the line, mirroring, getting two hands on, and using my length to disrupt routes. A big part of my game is being physical at the line. I have been wrestling for five years, being physical is a big part of my game, and being explosive out of my breaks.”
When college coaches see Kelly on the gridiron this fall, they will see him covering the other team’s ace.
“We will be a mixture of man and zone, an even split,” Kelly said. “We play field and boundary corner. I have been working at boundary. We travel with No. 1 receiver; I will be covering him.”
Before leaving Northwestern, Kelly played in the spring game with the Bulls where he was a starter and named a team captain.