Max Kelley

Introduction: Max Kelley, a three-star kicker and punter from Gallatin High School in Gallatin, Tennessee brings a booming leg to Shane Beamer’s 2025 recruiting class. With a frame standing at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Kelley isn’t your average specialist; he's a weapon who mastered his craft over four years in Tennessee’s ultra competitive Class 6A. He has been turning heads ever since taking over the starting job his sophomore year. A dual threat as he is an elite punter and field kicker which isn’t common especially at his age. His first year as a starter (part time) his strength was his kickoffs His kickoffs started turning heads, hitting 60+ yards consistently, getting touchbacks consistently. Kelley’s junior campaign in 2023 was when the light clicked on he’d added muscle and polish, going 33-of-38 on PATs and 9-of-12 on field goals, with a long of 45 yards. Becoming even more lethal on kickoff generating a touchback on 70% of them. His senior season he cemented himself as one of the best kickers in the country with a 90%+ PAT success (estimated 40-45 makes). Then adding 10-of-13 on field goals with a 50-yard long, and a punting average of 42 yards, peaking with a 60-yarder. From a raw talent with a big leg to a well rounded weapon ready to be unleashed.

Recruiting: It often takes specialists longer to get noticed and that holds true with Max Kelley. Coaches no matter how impressive the tape is usually need to see them in camp before there's a formal offer. After his first year as a full time starter (junior) in which he put up gaudy numbers there were still 0 offers. “Max had a leg you couldn’t miss, it was just a matter of getting seen,” a Gallatin assistant later told a reporter. South Carolina’s newly hired special teams coordinator, Joe DeCamillis, caught wind through his junior season mixtape. No contact yet, but DeCamillis liked what he saw and marked him as a “watch list” prospect. Spring of 2024 was his true breakout window, and he hit the camp circuit hard to showcase his leg. In March at a regional showcase, he drilled 50-yard field goals with height and boomed punts past 55 yards, earning early praise. This led to an invite to a specialists camp in Columbia on May 13, 2024. That day, Kelley strutted into Williams-Brice Stadium and put on a show: “60-yard kickoffs soaring into the end zone, 50-yard field goals splitting uprights with room to spare, and punts pushing 55 yards with tight spirals,” per GamecockCentral’s Wes Mitchell. Post camp, Decamillis pulled him aside and offered a full scholarship, his first from any program at any level. “We see you as a guy who can kick and punt for us right away, your legs are special,” DeCamillis told him. With South Carolina’s offer in pocket, Kelley’s recruiting exploded; he attended camps at Alabama, Kentucky, and his home state Volunteers. On June 15, Kelley returned to Columbia for an unofficial visit. DeCamillis broke down Kai Kroeger’s punts and Alex Herrera’s kicks, mapping out Kelley’s role post 2024. That night, after huddling with his parents and Gallatin coach James Stroup, Kelley committed to the Gamecocks. Tennessee made a late call, and Alabama lingered, but Kelley shut it down.

Strength and Skills: His toolkit is loaded with traits that promise immediate impact and long-term growth. Kelley’s leg is a powerhouse with distance across all facets. His field goal range stretches to 50 yards in games and has the potential to stretch even further . Kickoffs are shot out of a cannon, averaging 70-75 yards and achieving a 70% touchback rate in his senior season. Punting matches this and had camp performances of hitting 55 yards with consistency . This raw power is a game-altering force that shrinks fields and buries opponents deep. We know the impact of an elite kicker/punter as Gamecocks fans have been spoiled in riches. Kai Kroger, Elliot Fry, Mitch Jeter just to name a few. Precision defines Kelley’s craft, a testament to his ability to harness power without losing control. In 2024, he boosted that to 90%+ on an estimated 40-45 attempts. Field goals followed with over a 75% success rate his final 2 years and when he missed it was narrowly. A huge factor in his success is that his mechanics are a craftsman’s dream clean, repeatable, and efficient. His plant foot roots like an anchor, his swing strikes the ball with consistency and his follow-through lifts kicks with a textbook arc. This technical polish is why his power translates to results, a foundation that promises growth with higher stakes.