Jan. 12, 2018
Daytona Beach, Fla.----- Former San Jose State University cornerback Jermaine Kelly will be the first Spartan to suit up in a FBS All-Americans Spiral Tropical Bowl all-star game Sunday, January 14 at 9:00 a.m. (ET)/6:00 a.m. (PT).
Kelly heads into the all-star game as San Jose State's team leader with 12 pass break-ups in the 2017 team's 13-game season. Five of those break-ups came in the final three games of the season against Nevada, Colorado State and Wyoming. Kelly was instrumental in limiting Colorado State's All-America wide receiver Michael Gallup to 47 yards and no touchdowns on seven receptions.
For the season, Kelly was tied for third in the Mountain West with 13 passes defended. His one interception in 2017 was a 68-yard return for a touchdown in the September 22 home game vs. Utah State. Kelly's return was the Spartans' first interception return for a touchdown since the 2015 season. He was credited with 53 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in 2017.
After transferring from the University of Washington in 2015, the two-year letterwinner for San Jose State started the last five games in 2016.
He will be wearing #22 and playing for the American team coached by former San Jose State defensive backs coach Todd Littlejohn, who was with the Spartans in 2000 when the team recorded a 7-5 win-loss record.
The all-star game, now in its third year, can be seen on live on subscriber-based FloFootball.com, part of the FloSports family of live video streaming content.
Kelly is the second San Jose State player and Spartan defensive back from last year's team to participate in a post-season event. Safety Maurice McKnight recently completed his activities in the College Gridiron Showcase in Addison, Texas.