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Something’s missing.
What’s lacking from the resumes of Kelley and Basha in recent
years are signature playoff moments.
Since Kelley open enrolled at the school, Basha is 18-18 in the
past three seasons. But achieving postseason triumphs is tough
when Chandler sister school powers Chandler High and Hamilton are
in Basha’s backyard.
Kelley wants what Chandler High and Hamilton have for his program.
Any individual accolades or attention that comes his way, he
shares it.
During the interview for this story he raved about his left tackle
Jonathan Nathaniel, receiver Terrell Brown, nose tackle Mike Brown,
a transfer from Tucson, and how motivated his team is this year.
“There’s no ego,” said Martha about her son. “He doesn’t like to
be pulled aside to do interviews, but when he does them he wants
the whole team to get the credit.”
At home, Kelley is grateful for the team he has there as well.
Martha is an active participant in Basha’s football booster club,
and Ted, Kelley’s father, designed Basha’s football program. His
other two role models, sisters Gillian and Brianna, have left the nest.
Gillian is a school teacher, and Brianna is in college.
“I’m blessed,” Kelley said. “I’m definitely lucky because of them.
They’ve always giving me everything I’ve needed to get me where I
need to be, and my sisters always challenged me to get better.”
Kelley, like his team at Basha, has a lot to prove this year.
For some reason, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound signal caller’s stock is
down nationally. He is also no longer considered the top-dual QB
threat in the nation but will get the chance to prove he belongs with
the best. On Jan. 1, in Orlando, Fla. he’ll play in the Under Armour
All-American Game, which ESPN will televise. If he continues on the
same career passing path, he can become the state’s all-time career
passing 5A/6A leader if he throws at least for 2,664 yards this season.
But ask him what is driving him more than anything this year, and,
as is always the case with Kelley, his focus is on the team.
“A state championship,” he said.
5 ?’s with Ryan Kelley
Best advice, quote: “Philippians 4:13 Bible verse: I can do anything
through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Ryan Kelley on the move (photo by Steve Paynter of Paynter
Pics)
sive coordinator and quarterback coach and stayed in touch with
Lindsey.
On May 1, Kelley and his parents visited the ASU campus to meet
with supposedly just Lindsey, but when the Kelleys got off an elevator
they were greeted by an ASU contingent, including ASU offensive
line coach Chris Thomsen, recruiting coordinator Donnie Yantis, recruiter
Ryne Rezac and Linsdey. ASU coach Todd Graham joined the
group on that day, driving directly from an airport to ASU to talk with
the Kelleys.
“There were all these people there,” said Martha, Kelley’s mom.
“We didn’t expect that at all. It was really nice and welcoming. It felt
like we were home.
“That was the clincher, seeing everybody.”
But Oregon had one last prayer after ASU’s May 1st Sunday congregation
of coaches.
The following day, Oregon’s new QB coach David Yost visited Kelley
at Basha.
On Tuesday night May 3rd Kelley called Oregon coach Mark Helfrich
to tell him he was decommitting. On May 4 Texas A&M offensive
coordinator Noel Mazzone, who used to coach at ASU and live a
block away from the park Kelley trains at, visited Kelley at Basha. So
did University of Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee.
On Friday May 6 Kelley made it official on social media: Forks up.
“I knew it was ASU,” Kelley said. “Me and Chip (Lindsey), we had
a great relationship.
“I wouldn’t change a thing about the recruiting process. You need
to talk it out to make the right decision for you. Don’t listen to friends,
family or coaches. You have to be selfish, because you are going to
be the one living at the school, not them.”
Is it true that you used to play the trumpet?: “Yes, in 5th and 6th
grade. I was first chair. It was fun. Me and my friend Johnny Meere,
we would always do solos at
our little band concerts, so
that was fun.”
Instagram, Twitter or
Snapchat?: “I like Twitter
and Instagram. I have more
followers on Twitter
(https://twitter.com/Ryankelley_14).
I have more little
kids who follow me on Twitter,
so I always try to Tweet
motivational things. On Instagram
(https://www.instagram.com/ryankelley14/)
I
post a lot of things about
football and every once in a
while something fun about
doing something with my
friends.”
Most embarrassing moment:
“When I was younger I had super long blonde hair and wore
glasses. And that was pretty embarrassing to look back at. I was a
skater kid.”
Favorite emoji: “The face with the money eyes and the money
tongue. Just because of the way it looks.”
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