Hoke: Todd Kelly Jr ‘planning on’ returning in 2018

Tennessee received some good news on Wednesday. During the SEC Coaches teleconference, interim head coach Brady Hoke was asked if Senior safety Todd Kelly Jr. was going to participate in Senior Day activities ahead of the season finale against Vanderbilt on Saturday. “I think he’s planning on coming back for another year, so I don’t believe he’s going to take part” Hoke said.

Kelly suffered a knee injury only two games into the season and underwent season ending surgery in October. The injury has allowed Kelly to at least seek a fifth year of eligibility in Knoxville.

Kelly led the Tennessee defense in tackles in 2016 with 71, and tacked on seven extra before the injury, putting him at 153 total in his college career. It’s a safe bet that whoever takes over as head coach for the Vols in the coming weeks, will be glad to have a veteran player in the Tennessee secondary in 2018.