AUBURN — During his time as the head football coach at Auburn, Bryan Harsin may not have been the most successful recruiter in the Southeastern Conference. However, he prioritized securing the commitment of the highly-talented duo, James Smith and Qua Russaw, from Carver High School in Montgomery.
Smith, a lineman, and Russaw, a linebacker, had impressive senior seasons, contributing a total of 155 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks to the Wolverines’ 9-2 record. Despite their achievements, both players ultimately chose to sign with Alabama as a package deal. Charles Kelly, a former Auburn football player and then the assistant defensive coordinator/safeties coach under Nick Saban at Alabama, played a crucial role in recruiting them.
Kelly, now serving as a co-defensive coordinator for Auburn, has recently returned to his alma mater to focus on recruiting. In addition to Smith and Russaw, he played a key role in bringing in other five-star prospects, Yhonzae Pierre and Caleb Downs, earning him the title of 247Sports National Recruiter of the Year for the Class of 2023. This success builds on his consistently strong recruiting performance at Alabama, where he helped Saban replenish the team over four years.
Throughout his 31-year collegiate coaching career, which includes stints at various institutions, Kelly has been the primary recruiter for 25 blue-chip prospects. While the majority of his success came during his time at Alabama, with 17 out of the 25 recruits coming from there, he has secured at least one four-star or better recruit at every coaching stop.
Despite his defensive background, Kelly has also focused on offensive prospects, with eight blue-chip recruits falling under his purview. Notably, wide receiver Travis Rudolph, a former recruit at Florida State, has already made it to the NFL.
On the defensive side, Kelly boasts an impressive NFL history, with former recruits like Will Anderson and Brian Branch being selected in the first and second rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. Current players such as Caleb Downs and Cormani McClain are projected to have professional opportunities, while Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold is a potential early-round pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.
While Auburn is yet to announce its other defensive coordinator hire, one thing is clear: the addition of Charles Kelly, an accomplished recruiter with a track record of success at Alabama, is a significant boost for the Tigers. Even a fraction of his recruiting success at Alabama could greatly contribute to Auburn’s rise in the rankings.
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