Kelly dismissed from Clemson, Stoudt Likely the Starter

Chad Kelly has been dismissed from Clemson’s football team.  Larry Williams of TigerIllustrated.com reported the news on Monday afternoon.

Kelly was benched for the second half of Saturday’s Orange and White Game after an exchange with offensive coordinator Chad Morris and wide receivers coach Jeff Scott when the coaches opted to punt the ball on a fourth down late in the second quarter.  The redshirt sophomore was also outplayed on the field by fellow quarterback Cole Stoudt.  

The announcement of Kelly’s dismissal came on Monday afternoon.

“I have dismissed Chad Kelly for conduct detrimental to our program,” head coach Dabo Swinney said in a statement released by the school.  “He has had a pattern of behavior that is not consistent with the values of our program.  I hope he will mature and grow from this and become the man and player I know he can be. I wish him nothing but the best in the future academically and athletically.”

Kelly, the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, completed 10 of 17 passes last season for 58 yards.  He also ran the ball 16 times for 117 yards and a touchdown.

With true freshman Deshaun Watson out with a collarbone injury, Stoudt is now easily the favorite to win the starting quarterback job.  In Saturday’s spring game, the senior was 15-of-23 for 158 yards and two touchdowns.