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Y. Kelly Fact: Clemson's leading rusher in 2002.
Years Lettered: 2000,02,03
Bowl Participation: Reserve running back in the 2001 Gator
Bowl against #5 Virginia Tech and the 2002 Tangerine Bowl against Texas Tech.
Fall 2004 Depth Chart Position: Second-team tailback
Overview: Most experienced running back on the Clemson roster...looks to contribute this year after an injury-plagued junior season...made a big contribution in the win over #24 Virginia last season...earned his undergraduate degree on December 18, 2003...has more career rushing yards (888) and career rushing touchdowns (11) than any other active Tiger...tightened the gap between returning starter Duane Coleman at tailback during spring practices...had 57 rushing yards in the April 3 scrimmage, then 35 yards on nine carries in the Spring Game.
2003: Played just three snaps over the first five games due to an ankle injury, hamstring injury, and back problem, but came on strong against #24 Virginia; he had 25 carries for 88 yards an a touchdown in that important 30-27 overtime victory; that was the most carries in a game by a Tiger all season and the most carries of his career; cited by the coaching staff as the Offensive Player-of-the-Game for his efforts...had six carries for 33 yards to start the N.C. State game before he injured the ankle again...did not carry the ball again until the Duke game when he had three carries for six yards...did not play in the bowl game...came into the season as Clemson's returning starter and top returning rusher from 2002, but the injuries set him back.
2002: Saw significant action early in the season when he started against Louisiana Tech, Georgia Tech, and Ball State, all Tiger wins...did not have a 100-yard game in any of those three contests, but did average 95 yards a game in those contests...had a career-high 99 rushing yards against Ball State in 21 carries...also had 97 yards against Louisiana Tech...was Clemson's Player-of-the-Game in the win over Louisiana Tech by CollegeFootballNews.com; had three touchdowns in that game, the only Tiger to score three touchdowns in a game all season...led Clemson in touchdowns (8); he ranked sixth in the ACC...led Tiger running backs in receptions with 18 for 79 yards...had a solid game at Virginia with 72 yards rushing and 26 receiving...only start over the second half of the season was at Duke...missed the North Carolina game with an ankle injury...played just seven snaps against Maryland, then finished the season strong with 64 yards in 10 carries against South Carolina...Clemson fans will always remember his performance on the last Tiger drive, a 6:32 drive that ran out the clock; had seven rushes for 48 yards on that drive; the sophomore was fresh and punished the Gamecock defense to ice the game...had 71 of his 120 rushing attempts over the first four games of the season.
2001: Red-shirted...had a strong spring, as he had 103 yards on 13 carries in the March 9 scrimmage that got the coaches' attention.
2000: Played in just seven games, none as a starter, but still was third on the team in rushing with 243 yards...productive back who averaged 5.0 yards a carry...ranked in the top 10 in the ACC in rushing through the first three weeks of the season...ACC Rookie-of-the-Week for his performance at Duke when he had 12 carries for 84 yards...had a season-high 16 carries for 93 yards in the win over Wake Forest...had just six carries after October 1...had 49 carries for his 106 snaps, so he carried the ball when he was in the game...scored two touchdowns, both against Missouri...had all his rushing yards against Wake Forest and Duke in the second half...one of four first-year freshmen to letter; he played the most snaps from scrimmage among the newcomers...played 20 snaps in the Gator Bowl against #5 Virginia Tech after Travis Zachery was injured; had three catches for 22 yards out of the backfield in the game.
Before Clemson: National top-100 player by many services...Tom Lemming, Max Emfinger, Football Report, ESPN, Gridiron Greats, and Rivals100.com all ranked Kelly as a top-100 player...ranked as 97th-best player in the nation and sixth-best player in the Mid-Atlantic Region by Lemming...ranked as 19th-best running back in the nation by SuperPrep...a SuperPrep All-American...ranked 11th among running backs nationally prior to the season by Rivals100.com; he was an All-American by that service...also all-southeast selection by Rivals100.com...#6 prospect in South Carolina by Mickey Plyler and SuperPrep...ranked #15 in South Carolina, regardless of position, by The State...AAAA all-state selection as a junior and senior...all-conference, all-region, and All-Lowcountry as a junior and senior...had almost 4,200 career rushing yards and 52 touchdowns...averaged 7.6 yards per rush in the last two years...played quarterback in addition to his running-back duties...as a junior, he had 2,100 yards rushing and scored 27 touchdowns...as a senior, he played in just six games due to injury, but still had 1,250 yards and 16 touchdowns...threw for 367 yards on just eight attempts as a junior on halfback option passes...ran a 10.8 in the 100m and 22.3 in the 200m...had a long jump of 21'6"...played for Leroy Riley...went by Keith in his first two years, but changed over to his real first name in 2002...chose Clemson over Florida State, Georgia Tech, and South Carolina...born Yusef Lakeith Kelly on September 1, 1982...majoring in marketing.
