Jordan Kelley Aims for Big Bend MVP

Jordan Kelley is already setting ambitious goals for his final high‑school season. The Rickards Raiders quarterback told the Tallahassee Democrat that earning “Player of the Year” honors is definitely in play. After a standout 2025 opener, Kelley is quickly emerging as the top player in the Big Bend region.

His first career start came against longtime rival Amos P. Godby High School. Kelley engineered a dramatic 20‑point comeback, leading the Raiders to a 41‑34 victory over the Jamarin Simmons‑led Cougars. He completed 16 of 20 passes for 201 yards, added 135 rushing yards, and tossed three passing touchdowns plus a rushing score, though he also dropped one interception.

Kelley’s overall production as a junior set the stage for this rise. He finished the season with a 60 % completion rate, posting 1,596 passing yards and 1,596 rushing yards combined, while tallying 17 total touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Tallahassee Democrat later voted him to the All‑Big Bend First Team as an athlete after the 2025 campaign.

Offseason Training and Development

This summer, Kelley has focused on sharpening his accuracy, footwork, and ability to read defensive schemes. Speed Capital 850 has partnered with him to improve evasion skills, pushing his mobility beyond last season’s numbers. His uncle, longtime Rickards head coach Quintin Lewis, meets with Kelley regularly for film study and playbook drills. Lewis praised his nephew’s growing maturity and noted the summer has been “great for him.”

In June, the Raiders attended several 7‑on‑7 camps, playing at Bethune‑Cookman University, Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, and Florida International University in Miami. These events expose the team to foes from across Florida and even from Alabama and Georgia, regardless of classification. Kelley credits the camps with refining his ball placement, noting the variety of speeds and mechanics forces him to be precise.

Receiving Corps and Team Chemistry

Kelley’s weapons include Davion Crumitie, a four‑star commit to Vanderbilt, and Aaron Johnson II plus Donterrious Figgers, each of whom have multiple Division I offers. Transfer Curtayis Cooper, formerly of Lincoln High School, earned Offensive MVP honors at B‑CU’s 7‑on‑7 camp. The group’s chemistry, Kelley says, has clicked, creating a deep receiving room that can sustain his passing attack.

The quarterback also plans to switch his jersey number from 13 to 1, citing Cam Newton as his inspiration. Newton’s Heisman pedigree and later success with the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots make the No. 1 iconic for Kelley. The number was last worn at Rickards by Carlos Rolle, now a freshman linebacker at Alabama State University.

First College Offers Arrive

Peru State College in Nebraska and Warner University in Lake Wales have already extended scholarships to the 6‑foot‑1, 185‑pound signal caller. Both institutions compete in the NAIA, giving Kelley an immediate pathway to college football. More interest is expected once the regular season begins and scouts start attending Friday night games.

Kelley acknowledges that recruiting has been “slow on the offer process,” with most coaches saying they’ll evaluate him during the season. His uncle, Coach Lewis, urges patience, reminding him that scouts will notice his arm talent and the surrounding receiving depth. The presence of standout players like cornerback Tyler Walker Jr., who committed to UCF, also bolsters Kelley’s profile by demonstrating Rickards’ overall talent level.

Senior‑Season Goals and Outlook

Looking ahead, Kelley aims for 4,000 to 5,000 passing yards and a matching 1,000 rushing yards during his final high‑school year. He targets 30 passing touchdowns, positioning himself among Florida’s and the nation’s top passers. Beyond personal milestones, he wants to guide the Raiders to the FHSAA 4A District 2 title and clinch the program’s first winning season since 2021‑2022.

“We’ve got to get a district championship and make a good run in the playoffs,” Kelley declared. The senior feels the deep 2027 recruiting class gives Rickards a solid foundation to chase those ambitions. Success would also make him a serious contender for the 2026 Tallahassee Democrat All‑Big Bend Offensive Player of the Year award.

Rickards opens the 2026 schedule against Jacksonville’s Jean Ribault High School on August 13 at 7 p.m., a early test of the squad’s championship mettle.