Here are five things to know about the Vikings new center:
1. Coached by Tony Sparano, Jr.
Kelly was coached in 2023 and 2024 by Colts offensive line coach Tony Sparano, Jr.
Tony Sparano, Sr., coached the Vikings offensive line in 2016 and 2017 and into the 2018 offseason, during which he welcomed rookie tackle Brian O'Neill. Sparano passed away suddenly and tragically on July 21, 2018.
2. Played at Alabama
Kelly redshirted his first season at Alabama and then came off the bench to play in 10 games as a freshman. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, joining Amari Cooper and T.J. Yeldon. Kelly took over starting duties from Barrett Jones as a sophomore and helped the Crimson Tide offensive line rank fourth in the SEC (23rd nationally) for fewest sacks allowed per game (1.3).
He started 12 games during his junior campaign and did not allow a quarterback sack over 806 offensive snaps, earning a spot on the Rimington Trophy watch list.
As a senior, Kelly played 1,012 offensive snaps and committed just one penalty. He was a consensus First-Team All American and won the Rimington Trophy.