[**BYU**](https://lawlessrepublic.com/) outside linebacker Jack Kelly is among the more than 300 now former college football players [**participating in this week's NFL Combine**](https://lawlessrepublic.com/when-will-byu-football-stars-chase-roberts-jack-kelly-perform-nfl-combine). Kelly will take the stage on Thursday, along with the other linebackers, looking to improve their draft stock. Before we look ahead at Kelly's NFL future, let's pause for a moment and take a look back at his five best games as a BYU Cougar.
No. 5 - 2025 at ECU
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_Stats: 7 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 2 tackles for loss_
Many BYU pundits were nervous about the Week 3 trip to ECU to take on a good Pirates team on the other side of the country. The Cougars were 2-0 and still on the outside looking in on the Top 25 rankings and could ill afford a poor showing against a non-Power Four foe. Jack Kelly helped power BYU to an easy 34-13 win with both of his sacks happening on third downs that led to punts on the next play, killing two of ECU's drives.
No. 4 - 2025 at Texas Tech (regular season)
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_Stats: 7 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 1 pass defended_
When 8-0 and then No. 7 ranked BYU headed to Lubbock to take on the 9-0 and No. 8 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders, the Cougars needed every player to be at their best. And Jack Kelly was with seven tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and a pass defended. However, BYU's offense didn't both to show up in a 29-7 blowout that cast a shadow over the rest of the Cougars outstanding season. Kelly may have been the best individual player in a BYU uniform on that otherwise miserable day.
BYU's Jack Kelly breaks up a pass intended for Texas Tech's Cameron Dickey during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. | Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
No. 3 - 2025 vs. UCF
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_Stats: 6 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble_
Last year BYU was 10-1 and ranked No. 11 as they rolled into their regular season finale against UCF. Kelly was dominant against the Knights with two sacks and a forced fumble. Early in the third quarter BYU led 24-14 when a Jack Kelly sack forced a UCF punt that resulted in a Parker Kingston punt return touchdown. Later, with BYU up 17 early in the fourth quarter, Kelly's strip-sack ended a UCF drive near midfield, helping the Cougars put the game away.
Nov 29, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) fumbles as BYU Cougars safety Raider Damuni (3) and linebacker Jack Kelly (17) make a tackle during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images
No. 2 - 2025 vs. Utah
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_Stats: 7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack_
In BYU's thrilling 24-21 win against rival Utah last year Jack Kelly tied his BYU career-high with seven tackles while also racking up a tackle for loss and a sack. He did that against a Utah team sporting two potential first round picks at tackle. His sack on 4th-and-15 with just over three minutes left in the game was crucial in BYU doing just enough to close out the Utes.
No. 1 - 2024 vs. Houston
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_Stats: 7 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception_
As BYU fans remember all too well, the 2024 Cougars started the season 9-0 before gut-punch back-to-back losses against Kansas and Arizona State. The final game of the 2024 Big 12 slate was a home matchup against Houston, and it was a must-win to end BYU's two-game losing streak. Kelly was not only dominant, he was clutch. His forced fumble came on a fourth down strip-sack in the fourth quarter that led to BYU's game-sealing touchdown to salt away the much needed victory.