WR Tyree Kelly Raises Eyebrows In UMass Spring Game
Kelly will look to build on this performance for the upcoming season
AMHERST, Mass. - UMass transfer wide receiver Tyree Kelly had a breakout Spring Game performance on Saturday here at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, catching five passes for 79 yards.
“I feel great,” said Kelly. “I'm coming back from an MCL sprain, so it's my first time being out there. I come from South Florida, so I didn't really get an opportunity to show my talent.
“I came to UMass, where (wide receivers) coach (Jordan Hogan) and (head) coach (Joe Harasymiak) believed in me and just gave me opportunities.”
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior played at USF before transferring to UMass this semester. Kelly recorded 25 receptions for 363 yards and two touchdowns in his junior season.
Kelly played seven games during his freshman year, recording one catch for 10 yards against FAU. As a sophomore in 2024, he played 11 games on special teams and made three tackles.
Kelly admittedly didn’t know UMass existed prior to transferring. However, he’s eager to help turn the organization around.
“I never heard about UMass,” said the transfer student. “I'm from South Georgia, so I never heard about UMass. But the biggest thing with UMass is I just know they need to turn it around. We haven't really been winning here.”
Going into the fall, Kelly is constantly looking to improve his game. His breakout performance gives him much-needed momentum as he is looking to use it as a springboard for the upcoming season.
“I just got to keep improving,” said Kelly. “I have to work on my releases, my technique and making the big boy catches. Keep learning the playbook.”
Kelly acknowledged he wasn’t in great shape at the start of spring practice, however, he’s glad he shook off the rust.
“My conditioning wasn’t right,” he said. “So I had to get in shape, learn the offense and from there we just were rolling. Once I got that first catch, it was over.”
Kelly believes UMass fans are in for a treat as he has big aspirations for the Minutemen this upcoming season.
“We are ready for a big season,” he said. “We're going to turn it around. We're trying to go to a bowl game.”
The transfer student strongly believes in the leadership of Harasymiak’s coaching staff to turn the ship around.
“It’s just the coaches and the brotherhood we have here,” said Kelly. “That's the biggest thing. We got a real camaraderie here. We all believe in each other from the defense and the offensive side.”
Kelly has already formed a connection with Hogan as the two have mutual respect for each other.
“Coach Hogan, man, that's my guy,” he said. “He believed in me every step of the way.”
Kelly credits Harasymiak for believing in him as well and giving him an opportunity to prove himself.
“He told me we're going to use you,” he said. “We're going to use your talent. We believe in you. We just need you to come and be you. That's the big plan.”
A Georgia native, Kelly had a prominent career at Cairo High School. In his senior year, he had 34 receptions for 624 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 15 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles on defense. His career totals are 70 catches for 1,129 yards (16.1 yards per catch) and 12 touchdowns in three varsity seasons.
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