Why Rickards QB Jordan Kelley believes he can be Big Bend's top player

Jordan Kelley wants to cement himself as the top high school football player in the Big Bend this fall.

“Player of the Year, that’s definitely on the table,” the James S. Rickards High School rising senior quarterback told the Tallahassee Democrat.

In the 2025 season opener, Kelley immediately became a player to watch out of Tallahassee’s southside after his first career start.

He led the Rickards Raiders to a 20-point comeback over longtime rivals, Amos P. Godby High School, to defeat the Jamarin Simmons-led Cougars 41-34. Kelley completed 16 of 20 passes for 201 yards, rushed for 135 yards, and scored four total touchdowns, three passing, one rushing, against one interception.

The dual-threat quarterback finished his junior year completing 60% of his pass attempts for 1,596 yards, running for an extra 486, and had 17 touchdowns (10 passing, seven rushing) versus seven interceptions. The Tallahassee Democrat voted Kelley to the All-Big Bend First Team as an athlete following the 2025 season.

Whether it’s player of the year awards or first-team accolades, being No. 1 is constantly on Kelley’s mind as he prepares for his final year of high school football.

That has even extended to his gameday uniform, as the quarterback will switch from jersey No. 13 to No. 1. The decision was inspired by his favorite athlete, Cam Newton, the Heisman Trophy winner and National Football League Most Valuable Player, who wore No. 1 during his professional career with the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots.

Rickards’ No. 1 jersey was last worn by Carlos Rolle last season. Rolle is now a freshman linebacker at Alabama State University in the NCAA’s Division I.

“I saw the number open up,” Kelley explained, “I’ve always looked up to Cam Newton ― he’s the reason why I really play quarterback and play football. I’m a big Panthers fan, so it just kind of fit.”

Inside Rickards QB Jordan Kelley's offseason development

The offseason consists of Kelley improving his accuracy, footwork, and ability to read defenses.

Speed Capital 850 has been working with Kelley to get faster at evading defenses, even more than he did a season ago.

Longtime Rickards head coach Quintin Lewis, also Kelley’s uncle, often meets with the quarterback for film and playbook reviews in preparation for the fall.

“He’s starting to mature a little bit more in the game of football and understands what we’re trying to get him to do,” Lewis said of Kelley’s development. “This summer’s been great for him.”

A few deepballs from our past 7on7s @coachcanales@CoachHiggins73@CoachDietlSU@jaredreidDuke@amburkett64@phillipsb122@DillanJeffries@CoachDornHC@BenWilsonFB@DerrickTaylor_4pic.twitter.com/heFfs0YuzE

— Jordan Kelley (@10xJordanKelley) June 13, 2026

In June, Rickards attended 7-on-7 team camps at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, and Florida International University in Miami. Camps allow the Raiders to face teams from across Florida and nearby teams from Alabama and Georgia, regardless of classification.

“That’s really been helping with my ball placement,” Kelley said. “Everybody doesn’t have the same speed and mechanics, so it’s really just about being precise, so I look good, and our receivers look good.”

Leading Kelley’s wide receiver weaponry are Davion Crumitie, a four-star Vanderbilt commit, Aaron Johnson II, and Donterrious Figgers, who both hold a handful of Division I offers.

Curtayis Cooper has transferred to Rickards from Lincoln High School and was named the Offensive MVP at B-CU’s 7-on-7 camp.

“They’re going to have a great year. They’re my guys,” Kelley discussed the receiving corps. “Our chemistry just clicked. They all catch the ball very well. I have a great wide receiver room.”

Rickards QB Jordan Kelley picks up first college football offers

Peru State College in Nebraska and Warner University in Lake Wales have offered the 6-foot-1, 185-pound quarterback a scholarship to play college football. Both schools compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

More offers could be on the way once the season starts, when teams begin attending Rickards Raiders games on Friday nights.

“My recruiting has been here and there,” Kelley said. “I’ve been talking to more coaches; it’s been slow on the offer process. Most coaches say they’ll come during the season to offer me. So my recruiting process probably will pick up midseason.”

Lewis is telling his nephew, the starting quarterback, to trust the process.

Scouts will find him.

Especially since Kelley is equipped with an aerial attack with Division I buzz, and even on Rickards’ defense, such as cornerback Tyler Walker Jr., who committed to the University of Central Florida.

“What he does have is some great receivers that are getting a lot of pub and recruiting. We’re going to pick up from them, which is going to make his chances higher,” Lewis explained. “He’s just got to stay patient with the recruiting process. It’s different for everyone. Especially for him because he is a quarterback.”

Rickards QB Jordan Kelley maps out goals for senior football season

Kelley has lofty personal milestones for his senior year.

He plans to be among Florida’s and the nation’s top passers by notching 4,000 to 5,000 passing yards and adding 1,000 rushing yards. Kelley also wants 30 touchdowns through the air.

Under center, Kelly aims to guide the Raiders to the FHSAA 4A District 2 trophy and earn the football program’s first winning season since 2021-2022.

“We’ve got to get a district championship and make a good run in the playoffs,” Kelley said. “We’ve got a big 2027 class, and we feel like we’re the team to do it. I’m just ready to have a great season with the guys, bring a winning season to ‘Rick.’ We haven’t had a winning season in a few years, so I’ll be glad to turn that around.”

Those achievements would make him a serious contender for the Tallahassee Democrat’s 2026 All-Big Bend Offensive Player of the Year award.

Rickards opens the 2026 season against Jacksonville’s Jean Ribault High School on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Why Rickards QB Jordan Kelley believes he can be Big Bend's top player