With the eighteenth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ryan Kelly has been selected by the Indianapolis Colts.
Kelly’s draft stock has skyrocketed since the draft process began. After an impressive NFL Combine where he posted a 5.01 40-yard dash, a 103-inch broad jump and 26 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, he impressed many scouts in interviews and workouts.
He followed that with an impressive Pro Day in position drills, specifically catching the eye of Colts head coach, Chuck Pagano who was one of two head coaches in attendance, along with Bill Bilicheck of the New England Patriots. Kelly is a great communicator and a proven leader on the field that is as technically sound as they come for an offensive lineman, which seems to be all you can ask for in your first round draft pick.
The 6’5″, 311 pound center and Crimson Tide captain was regarded as the top-ranked center and the top interior lineman to many draft experts. He is also revered as one of the best offensive lineman in Alabama football history. Andrew Luck looks to be in good hands.
As Kelly was selected and his name appeared on ESPN, his teammates and former Alabama players expressed their pride in him via Twitter.
So pumped for @ryan_kelly70 !! He's gonna be an awesome pro!
— Barrett Jones (@BarrettAJones) April 29, 2016
So happy for my dawg!!!
— Cam. (@crobinson_68) April 29, 2016
Center ng rats bro love you fam @ryan_kelly70
— Dominick Jackson (@BIIIG_SIMBA76) April 29, 2016
Couldn't be happier for my dude @ryan_kelly70, no one deserves it more than him! #NFLDraft2016 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/N8FGxORgZA
— Richard Mullaney (@Rmullaney08) April 29, 2016
LETS GO! @ryan_kelly70 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/mOTAJoruYO
— Chris Owens (@BGChrisOwens) April 29, 2016
Justin Wagner is the Lead Recruiting Analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter at @jwag718.
