2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Josh Kelly, DB, Missouri Southern State

• Name: Josh Kelly
• Position: DB
• College: Missouri Southern State University 
• Height: 6’1
• Weight: 198
• Twitter: @_9time
• Instagram: _jk_407

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

My length and physicality at the DB position, I have the traits to play every position in the secondary and on special teams. Also the fact I am a proven winner, at UCF I only lost 4 games total in my career and at MSSU we had the most winning team in the past 10 years. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football? 

I first started having real interest in football when I moved to FL at the age of 8.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I am resilient, consistent and a team first player. I’m the type of player who is going to come to work everyday and do whatever the team needs me to win. Scout team, special teams, or whatever they need me to do. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

I would donate to “My game his glory” which is a youth foundation founded by my pastor and I. We use sports to bring kids together and not only help them grow as athletes but we take pride in focusing on character development and teaching them to be Christ driven athletes.

What is the best advice you have ever received?  

“Be where your feet are” my defensive coordinator Randy Shannon from UCF would always tell me this. I believe this is great advice because you never want to dwell on the past or get too far ahead in the future. Make the most of the opportunities that are in front of you right now aka being where your feet are.

Who was your childhood hero? 

My great grandmother, she raised me since I was 2 months old and was the definition of selfless. She is the reason I am who I am today. May she Rest In Peace.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

Honestly I feel like it was myself, due to lack of targets thrown at me this season I didn’t really have the ball production I hoped for, as well as battling sprained ankles this season. But hopefully with my pro day results and the film I have, teams can see that I’m healthy and ready to show my full ability.

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

People who lack a sense of urgency, I feel like I’m always on the go and operating on the fly so I can’t stand when people around me are operating slow.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

Mrs. Chaves, she was my 12th grade ASL (America sign language) teacher. She definitely understood me and my situation and did anything she could to help me out.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

Honestly I feel like I’ve been overcoming adversity my whole life so I can’t just pinpoint once example, my whole football journey honestly. From only playing 1 year of HS and being homeless, to then training for 2 years by myself after high school to walk on to UCF, then having to work my way up from a walk on to scholarship player, then breaking my foot and figuring out if I was going to play football ever again, then going back to college this past year. It’s been a long journey but through God and hard work you can always overcome adversity.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

My first school, UCF is special to me because that’s home. I literally grew up 10 min down the road and the fact that I got to be apart of the greatest teams in school history, 25-0 win streak, 2x AAC champ, Peach bowl champ. It’s a dream come true. MSSU is special to me because they gave me another chance when I didn’t know if I would play football again. I’m forever thankful for both of these universities and the wonderful people that I met. 

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

Definitely chipotle, you can’t go wrong with it.

What is your favorite snack food? 

Acai Bowls 

What is your degree in? 

Human communication 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say? 

My journey is unlike any other one you’ve ever heard, most people in my situation would’ve folded already; I’m one of them ones who really wants it. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be? 

I would have to say a Jalen Ramsey type of player, someone that you can move all around the secondary and who will come up to hit without thinking twice. Long arms, good change of direction, great IQ for the game. 

What is your favorite game to play at the carnival/theme park?

I like the dunk tank, it’s always fun to try to hit a target and knock someone in the water.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

1- Warren Buffett, 2- Coach Prime, 3- Nick Saban

I chose these 3 people because I know they will have a lot of wisdom about life, football and finances.