Quarterback Cole Kelley will transfer from the University of Arkansas, he announced via Twitter on Monday. Kelley told HawgSports that he hasn’t yet decided where he is headed but, “will look over everything during Christmas break.”
This past season as a redshirt sophomore, the 6-7, 258-pounder completed 35 of 67 passes (52.2 percent) for 455 yards, 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He started the season-opener against Eastern Illinois but was replaced by the more effective Ty Storey. Then after Storey struggled against Colorado State, Kelley started one last time in the 44-17 loss to North Texas.
From there, he was primarily used in short-yardage situations as part of Arkansas Gravedigger package. He finished the year with 28 rushes for 73 yards (2.6 yards per carry) with 3 touchdowns.
Kelleys last significant action in a regular quarterback role came against Ole Miss after Ty Storey went down with a head injury early in the fourth quarter with the Hogs up 33-24. Arkansas final three drives ended in two punts and an interception that sealed the game after Ole Miss scored touchdowns on their final two drives (not including the knee at the end of the game). The next week, true freshman Connor Noland got the start over him against Tulsa, and by seasons end he was working as a scout team tight end and was no higher than fourth on the depth chart at quarterback.
Kelley saw significant action last season under former head coach Bret Bielema after Austin Allen went down in the South Carolina game. As a redshirt freshman, Kelley started four games and completed 87 of 151 passes (57.4 percent) for 1,038 yards, 8 touchdowns and 4 interceptions with wins over Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, just hours after the Hogs lost 33-10 to LSU, Kelley was arrested for DWI and later plead guilty to the charge. He did not play again the rest of the season.
Kelley is from Lafayette (La.) and attended high school at Teurlings Catholic.
The industry generated 247Sports Composite Ranking placed him as the No. 39 pro-style quarterback in the country and the No. 47 overall recruit in Louisiana in the Class of 2016. Individually, 247Sports ranked him the No. 45 QB prospect and the No. 52 recruit in Louisiana.
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