ARLINGTON, Texas – Tennessee running back John Kelly was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with 176th pick overall in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.
Kelly joins 2017 NFL Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints as VFL running backs drafted in consecutive years. Kamara was selected by the Saints with the 67th pick in the third round a year ago.
Kelly, who is the 58th Vol running back selected all time and the eighth since 2000, marks the 14th Tennessee player to be drafted by the Rams and is the first since cornerback Jonathan Wade was selected in the third round of the 2007 draft.
Utilizing a ferocious, tackle-breaking style, Kelly had a breakout junior campaign in his first year as a starter in 2017, leading the Vols in rushing (778 yards) and receptions (37) in 11 games. The Detroit, Mich., native scored nine touchdowns for the Vols and opened the season with 128 yards and four touchdowns in a double overtime win over Georgia Tech. For his career, Kelly rushed for 1,573 yards and 15 touchdowns, while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Kelly added 43 receptions for 350 yards. He played in 33 games with 12 starts.
He finished with five career 100-yard games, including a 141-yard performance at Florida in 2017.
Kelly is the 24th Vol selected in the NFL Draft since 2010 and the 356th Vol drafted all-time.
-UT Athletics
