2015 Northern Illinois Football Recruiting: DE Marcus Kelly Talks Commitment to Huskies

Three star quarterback Alec Ingold wasn't the only class of 2015 prospect from Wisconsin to give Rod Carey and the Northern Illinois football program a verbal commitment over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon Waukesha West defensive end Marcus Kelly, decided to give his pledge to the Huskies just days after receiving his full ride scholarship offer from Carey, and the NIU coaching staff.

"I called Coach Carey, and just let him know the decision I made with my family, and he was pretty pumped about it. I then called Coach Dierson next and Coach Tripodi. They were both also pretty excited, which was pretty cool," the 6-foot-4 and 230 pound, Kelly stated to Hustle Belt on how he broke the news of his intention to join NIU to the staff.

"I chose Northern Illinois primarily because of the coaching staff. The other school I was really considering was Minnesota, but they haven't offered, so that wasn't really a possibility," Kelly said. "I've been able to build a great relationship with both Coach Tripodi, and Coach Dierson. They made me feel like I was already a part of the program long before any of this."

As a junior, Kelly, a Second Team Classic 8 Conference selection, was a force off the edge for a stout West High defense all season long. His 55 total tackles, and nine sacks were a key reason why the 10-3 Wolverines made a run towards a state championship.

His pass rushing skills, and success on and off the field is something, the soon to be senior standout knows will only continue once he reaches DeKalb, Illinois.

"Coach Dierson and I have talked about where I fit in with the defense. He thinks at the six technique defensive end or possibly defensive tackle, if I can get bigger," he said. "It feels great to have the process over with, and to know that I'm heading to a good school, and program that wins a lot of games, and knows how to do it the right way."

To see what Kelly will add to the Northern Illinois Huskies defense, take a few moments to watch these highlights of him in action, courtesy of Hudl: