Auburn keeps in-state ATH Omari Kelly home

Things worked out exactly like Trussville (Ala.) Hewitt-Trussville athlete Omari Kelly pictured they would when the calendar rolled over to 2021. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete had a top-eight early in 2021 with a plan to commit before his senior season.

His season starts Friday and now Kelly is committed.

When Kelly released his favorites list m

for the first time this year, Auburn was on that list, but at that time, not many expected him to be a Tiger.

There was more buzz around Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.

Kelly progressed through the year, took some visits, continued to communicate with different schools, and over the summer, Auburn made their move and pulled ahead.

After camping on the Plains in June, then visiting for Big Cat Weekend, it was over and he made the decision to stay home with the Auburn Tigers.

Trust was factor in Omari Kelly committing to Auburn

Bryan Harsin is the new head coach at Auburn, and outside of Carnell Williams, he has a new coaching staff. Williams was Kelly’s lead recruiter on the old staff, so him staying on played a big role in Auburn landing Omari Kelly.

Harsin made a big impression too on both Kelly and his mom.

“Auburn finished No. 1 because of the trust I have in coach Harsin,” Kelly said. “I have trust in what he is doing and how he is bringing a family environment to Auburn. I like what he is doing with the players, the staff and everyone at Auburn. It is like a big family.”

Auburn was running middle of the pack for Kelly entering the summer. He camped at Auburn early in June. By the time he left that second visit, he knew he was going to be a Tiger.

“When I left Big Cat Weekend and I was talking to my mom in the car, I knew it,” Kelly said. “They started to make the move after I did the camp there and that is when I started to get a good feel for everything. Then after Big Cat Weekend, I knew it.”

Kelly gave Harsin and the Auburn staff the news of his commitment Aug. 6.

“They were all cheering and everyone seemed really ecstatic when I told them,” Kelly said.

Landing Omari Kelly is a statement for Bryan Harsin

Jeffrey Lee is on the ground in Auburn, Ala. covering the Tigers for Auburn Live. He is as in touch with Auburn sports and Auburn recruiting as anyone and he paints the picture of how big of a commitment Kelly is for the Tigers.

“Kelly is a big addition for Auburn, a statement win for Bryan Harsin in the state of Alabama,” said Jeffrey Lee of AuburnLive. “He is the top wide receiver in the state, has an official offer from Alabama, but has bought in to what Harsin is doing at Auburn.

“Kelly gives Auburn commitments from two of its top wide receiver targets (Jay Fair being the other) and puts Auburn in a very good spot to sign one of the top wide receivers groups in the country. The lone missing piece to the class is four-star Darrius Clemons from Oregon, who will visit Auburn again in September and could make a commitment soon after.”