With Cam’Ron Kelly’s commitment, Storm Duck to Louisville makes too much sense

Last night, former North Carolina defensive back, and briefly Virginia defensive back, Cam’Ron Kelly committed to the University of Louisville, per his Instagram page. A signing that seemingly came out of nowhere, but an exciting one nonetheless. Cam’Ron Kelly was a consensus four-star prospect coming out of high school and originally committed to Virginia Tech over powerhouse Division I programs like Clemson, Penn State, and Auburn.

An admittedly shocking commitment to the Hokies, the Chesapeake, Virginia native did not last long at Virginia Tech. He committed in June 2018 and announced his de-commitment in August 2018, citing he lost contact with his position coach at Tech. With his recruitment back open, he re-considered his options and elected to commit to Auburn University.

He enrolled at Auburn in January 2019, but would only remain a Tiger for less than three months, this time leaving Auburn, Alabama for personal reasons. He entered the transfer portal on March 27, 2019, and would again re-open his recruitment. Per his reasoning for leaving, he desired to be closer to home and his family. So, he committed to the University of North Carolina, a mere three-and-a-half-hour drive from Chesapeake, Virginia.

His time in Chapel Hill lasted from August 2019 through December 2022. In four seasons as a Tar Heel, he played in 42 games, recorded 107 solo tackles, 73 assisted tackles, five interceptions, and one forced fumble. He put together quite an impressive career in North Carolina.

But, then he decided to enter the transfer portal again last December. This time he transferred very close to home, at the University of Virginia, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Chesapeake, Virginia. He announced his decision to join the Cavaliers on January 6, 2023.

Kelly would play in the Virginia Football Spring Game, and then re-enter the transfer portal for the third time soon after. This time he committed to the University of Louisville and Head Coach Jeff Brohm. He told Cardinal Authority that he believes in this program:

"“I believe in everything they’re going for and they say they believe they can win and win right now,” Kelly told Cardinal Authority. “They’re bringing the pieces and I’m one of those pieces that can contribute to that as well. And, I believe everything Coach English has with a fast, physical defense. I feel like I can fit in right in with that and then bring my playing style to the forefront. I know the ACC and the ACC knows me. It’s gonna be a great time.”"

With a four-two-five defensive scheme that Ron English has, it makes sense as to why Kelly likes it so much. Five defensive backs on the field and one of his capabilities will certainly be fun to watch for Louisville fans.

After his commitment to the Cardinals, it makes too much sense for his former North Carolina teammate, Storm Duck, to come to Louisville as well.

Storm Duck joined Cam’Ron Kelly as a member of the Class of 2019. A consensus three-star prospect out of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Duck grew up roughly seven hours away from Kelly.

Duck committed to the University of North Carolina coming out of high school, choosing the Tar Heels over West Virginia, Liberty, Coastal Carolina, and Appalachian State, among others. In four seasons in Chapel Hill, he played in 33 career games, recorded 82 solo tackles, 21 assisted tackles, 22 passes defended, five interceptions, and even one touchdown in 2019.

Much like his former teammate Cam’Ron Kelly, Storm Duck entered the transfer portal on December 7, 2022, two days after Kelly. Except he did not go to the University of Virginia, instead he committed to Penn State and Head Coach James Franklin on December 28, 2022.

A mere four months later, he re-entered the transfer portal following the Penn State Spring Game, likely due to him not receiving as much field time as he thought prior to committing to the Nittany Lions. Now, he is back on the market and it would make a lot of sense for him to come to the University of Louisville and reunite with Cam’Ron Kelly.

The first reason is that he was in conversations with Louisville the first time he entered the transfer portal in December. In fact, he was even on our pre-Early Signing Day watchlist. A large reason for that was that he was on campus here back in December on a large recruiting weekend.

Not only would he add solid veteran leadership to the Cardinals’ secondary, but he would also make the team better. And it’s very likely he could come back to an ACC school since he is the most familiar with the conference and now has a former teammate in Cardinal Red who could make his transition even more seamless.

Also, Louisville defensive back D’Angelo Hutchinson has been tweeting some cryptic tweets recently.

It leaves one to wonder if there is still a connection between Storm Duck and Louisville. Stay tuned to find out!