Jack Kelly Sets Tone For BYU Football’s 2025 Defense
Sep 7, 2025, 1:47 PM
PROVO, Utah – Senior linebacker Jack Kelly set the standard for what the BYU defense should and needs to look like for the Cougars to have success in 2025.
That was on display in Saturday night’s BYU victory over Stanford, 27-3.
After three seasons at Weber State, the Kearns, Utah, native transferred to BYU ahead of the 2024 season. Kelly immediately made an impact on the football program in Provo.
He played in all 13 of BYU’s games and helped the Cougars to an 11-2 record after posting 51 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and an interception.
Now, in his final collegiate season, Kelly looks ready to have an even better campaign.
Jack Kelly has been unreal tonight. A nose for the football.
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) September 7, 2025
During BYU’s first two games this fall, Kelly has made impact play after impact play. He’s flown to the football and been featured all across the field. Kelly has made his mark dropping back in the secondary, rushing into the backfield, and lining up as part of BYU’s special teams unit.
Stellar Performance Against Stanford
The Cougars have only allowed three points during their 2-0 start. Alongside Isaiah Glasker and Siale Esera, Kelly and BYU’s linebackers have shut down opposing quarterbacks and stifled their running games.
“We play for something bigger than ourselves,” Kelly said after BYU’s win over Stanford on September 6. “I think that helps us all come together and rally.”
In BYU’s win against the ACC foe, the linebacker led the Cougars with five tackles, a sack, and 2.5 tackles for loss.
“I would say it was pretty good,” Kelly said of his play in the Week 2 win. “I have a lot to improve on… I think it was a good night, but I can obviously get a lot better.”
Out of a number of excellent plays, one of Kelly’s best against the Cardinal was a strip sack that resulted in a fumble recovered by BYU at the Stanford five-yard line.
Jack Kelly STRIP SACK ‼️#Big12FB | @BYUfootball | 📺ESPN pic.twitter.com/z0qw6weJpj
— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) September 7, 2025
Kelly has started his senior season with six tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and a touchdown. He is now up to 22.5 sacks during his college career.
After a strong start, the linebacker is well on his way to another stellar season and a chance to earn accolades in the Big 12.
Now, Kelly and the Cougars get an early bye in Week 3 before heading across the country to face East Carolina. The Pirates will host the Cougars on September 20.
Kyle Ireland is a Co-Host on Cougar Sports Saturday on KSL NewsRadio (Saturday, Noon-3 p.m.) covering BYU athletics.
