Max Kelley brings elite recruiting pedigree and a live leg to South Carolina’s open kicking job
In the 2025 season, Max Kelley entered South Carolina as a highly touted specialist with a strong leg, kickoffs experience, and national top-kicker credentials, earning Coaches All-SEC Freshman recognition while helping on kickoffs as a true freshman. He was ranked among the top kickers in his class by major recruiting services, and South Carolina expected him to focus on placekicking in 2026 after a wide-open competition at the position. The fit is intriguing: he has upside, versatility, and growth runway, but he still needs game reps to prove he can turn camp hype into Saturday consistency.
