A former BMX racer turned Big Sky sack machine, Jack Kelly rode a transfer to BYU into a sixth-round pick by the Giants.
Jack Kelly grew up in Kearns, Utah as a competitive BMX racer before turning his athleticism toward football, and he built himself into one of the most disruptive linebackers in the country by way of Weber State and BYU. The Giants took him in the sixth round of the 2026 draft, betting on a versatile edge-rusher-linebacker hybrid who can pressure the passer and still drop into coverage.
Path to the league
Kelly starred at Kearns High School before beginning his college career at Weber State, where he broke out as a redshirt sophomore in 2023 with 85 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and a Big Sky-leading 10.5 sacks. He transferred to BYU in 2024, became a team captain, and started all 25 games over his two seasons in Provo.
Career highlights
Kelly's college production spanned both the FCS and Big 12 levels: at Weber State he was one of the top pass rushers in the Big Sky, and at BYU he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 while landing on the Nagurski and Butkus Award watch lists. He finished his two BYU seasons with 106 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, four forced fumbles and an interception.
2025 season recap
In his final season at BYU, Kelly posted 55 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a first-team All-Big 12 selection and team captain. The Giants drafted him in the sixth round, 193rd overall, in the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the fifth BYU player the franchise has ever selected.
Sources
- BYU Athletics: Jack Kelly Selected by New York Giants in 2026 NFL Draft
- Giants.com: Giants Draft BYU LB Jack Kelly in Round 6
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- BYU
- Hometown
- Kearns, UT, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
