Those rumors intensified so much that last week Kelly's agent, Chad Speck, wrote a letter to every NFL team calling those rumors "irresponsible” and "untrue,” and enclosed a doctor's letter stating Kelly was "100 percent healthy.”
Today at OU's Everest Indoor Training Center in his first and only workout before NFL scouts, Kelly will have the opportunity to silence the questions about his health for good.
"I just have to show them with my drills, my change of direction, that I have no knee problems,” said Kelly, speaking publicly for the first time about the rumors, which likely started with Kelly tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in junior high and later having arthroscopic knee surgery after his sophomore season at OU.
"I've been working so that tomorrow morning I can come out here and prove them wrong and shut everybody up. I guarantee they won't be saying I have knee problems (anymore).”
Former Sooner defensive back Reggie Smith, who's been recovering from a broken big toe, will also be working out in front of scouts for the first time.
Smith could elevate himself into the first round with an impressive workout.
Running back Allen Patrick and tight end Joe Jon Finley, who both participated in OU's pro day last month, will test as well.
But most of the scouts will be in town to watch and evaluate Kelly.
The 6-foot-4, now 232-pound wide receiver has been working out in Atlanta with trainer Chip Smith, who has prepared more than 800 players for the draft over the years, including stars like Chicago Bearslinebacker Brian Urlacher.
Smith said Kelly has gained almost 20 pounds of muscle since the winter while lowering his body fat to less than 4 percent.
Smith expects Kelly to run the 40-yard dash today in under 4.5 seconds.
If he does, Kelly — already renowned for having some of the best hands in college football last season — should solidify himself as the top receiver available in the draft, despite a topsy-turvy last five months, beginning with a thigh injury in December.
About a week after the Big 12 Championship, Kelly suffered a partial quadriceps tear, first diagnosed as a deep thigh bruise.
Kelly was able to play in only one series at the Fiesta Bowl, which the Sooners lost to West Virginia 48-28.
"If he had played in the bowl game, there was a chance he could've torn his quad,” Smith said. "And if he does that, he's out for the year.”
A February MRI showed that Kelly had a tear, which kept him from participating in the NFL Scouting Combine and in OU's pro day.
"By finding out early, we were able to aggressively treat that,” Smith said, "and at least get him to where he is today, where he's going to be able to run around and put up some good numbers.”
Because of the injury, Kelly said he has only been training at full speed for the last three weeks. But he's hoping that will have given him enough time to put on a show in front of scouts, which, according to ESPN's Todd McShay, should include Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski and wide receivers coach Mike Sheppard.
The Bengals, who have the ninth overall pick, have been in the market for a wide receiver since last week when they cut No. 3 receiver Chris Henry after he was accused of punching a man in the face and breaking the man's car window with a beer bottle.
The Bengals will fly Kelly to Cincinnati immediately after today's workout for a private meeting with team personnel.
Kelly will also meet with Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins officials later in the week.
The Buffalo Bills, who have the No. 11 pick, should have a number of scouts in attendance as well for Kelly's workout. The Bills don't have a receiver taller than 6 feet on the two-deep depth chart and have said they're looking to add another weapon for second-year quarterback Trent Edwards.
"Watching everyone else participate, you kind of get anxious and get down on yourself,” Kelly said. "But you have to let your injuries heal up, and a lot of scouts, they understand all that stuff.
"They're just waiting for me to work out and they'll be here to see it — hopefully, I'll give them what they want to see.”
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Physically he is healthy, Mentally he is about right for a receiver. His ability need to catch up with his insecurity. Can't wait to see how good we are without him. I do hope he has a nice career and doesn't really blame OU for a bad day. Everone has them. As long as he realizes he has work to do, and the body to get it done he will be fine.
"He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone....just don't expect Malcolm Kelley to catch it because he's too busy sitting on the sidelines soaking up his pub while worrying about himself." Switzer 19:74
Kelly did do something right. He left early so that the OU program can move on without an overhyped ingrate to be a sideline distraction. Chris Simms thinks he's an overhyped bust.
For all who criticize Malcom Kelley ask yourself this question: Did you do everything perfectly in life especially when you were young? Jesus said" He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone. John 8:7.
Kelley must have done something right. Two pro teams are looking at him: The Washinton Redskins and Cincinatti Bengals. Stop Labeling people, it accomplishes nothing but destruction. Malcolm Kelley will learn to be prepared for these situations. It's called life.
And cecil....YOKED? REALLY? Who says that? The reason he wasn't that "Yoked" is because Kelly isn't naturally Calvin Johnson, and OU didn't need him to be huge. And now he's going to try and lock down his already fading stock by trying to become Johnson and guess what...it's hurt him. Kelly's all about himself, all about being a pro, all about being something he's not and never will be, and it's biting him in the rear now. He could have been a Jerry Rice style guy...not a bad role model. But take bad advice and do dumb things...and this is what happens.
I'm not an OU hater at all...I have season tickets. But shocker! Once again, our "superstar" (who had all of about 4 great games as a Sooner) goes out and watches his stock drop because he just isn't as good as he thinks. Much like the team that stepped on the field in the Fiesta Bowl, and much like A LOT of OU players lately. And I agree, a lot of OU players are doing well in the NFL....ALL of them nice role players, hardly superstars, definitely NOT hall of famers, and decent at best. I just get tired of WE OU fans drooling over these guys, and then having egg on our face when they bust. Bosworth even comes to mind...a GREAT college player, but zilch as a pro. You guys want to succeed? Shut your yap, don't believe the hype, put your heads down, and go play. THAT, as much as pure talent, has made a guy like Adrian Peterson a star. As for Kelly? Good riddance. I'm certain we can find someone to play more than 10 downs in the Big 12 title game and the Fiesta Bowl.
If MK runs sub 4.5 weighing 230, then it only proves that he's been a real slacker while in Norman. How come he wasn't that yoked under Schmitty, one of the best trainers in NCAA football (maybe The Best)? So, now, with money on the line for him personally, he decides to take it up a couple notches. Imagine his production over the past two seasons if he'd have been in as good a condition as he supposedly is today.
Kelly should have come back for his senior year to prove that he is both healthy and consistently good. Today's 4.75 40-yard dash and 32 inch vertical jump means he will be lucky to be a second rounder this year.
Dustin, it is easy to pick out the people who didn't make it in the NFL, but what about those that are flourishing...Pool, Wilson, Brandon Jones, Dvoracek, Harris, Cody, Wilkerson, Peterson, and I am sure there are others. I think that Lofton and Smith will do just fine for themselves. You are such a typical OU hater!!
When Peterson was hurt, you didn't know when he was coming back. When he was hurt in the Boise State Game, you didn't hear about it until after the game. When Malcolm Kelly has been hurt in both bowl games, he was just sitting there and I was just wondering why he wasn't playing. Last year when Sam Bradford went out, the announcers just commented he was on the bench and they didn't know why. Finally, it came out that he had a concussion. When Auston English went out everything seem to be week to week. Hey, they (coaches) know whats best better than I but for a fan, it gets a little frustrating trying to guess who is actually hurt and to what extent. So, I imagine its frustrating for scouts or whomever as well. I think Kelly will be fine, although I've not seen him take too many hits.
Really, eudell??? EVERY time? I seem to recall that just last year the same garbage was being spewed about Adrian Peterson and Peterson DID participate in and excell in the combine. So OU is either improperly viewed as arrogant or "hiding" injuries by keeping a guy who's injured on the sidelines??? How are you "hiding" anything by NOT playing a guy who's hurt? Worst analysis ever.
What I'm far more concerned about is that guys leave early who have no business leaving (Smith, Lofton) and those who arguably DO have reason to leave (Kelly) generally don't pan out because we OU fans tend to WAY overrate our talent, especially as it relates to the NFL. How about for one time one of our star players who isn't the best ever (Peterson) gets into the league and has a similarly great career...because I'm not seeing that from anyone named Marshall, Heupel, White, Hybl, Strait, Woolfolk, Everege, Calmus, Lehman, etc. Arrogance and hidden injures are NOT those guys problem...talent is. And there's at least a 50-50 chance on that history alone that Kelly, like these others will tend to be a bust, rather than a star.
I really think some of the rumors start because the Sooners are sooo secretive about injuries. Everytime someone is hurt, I never have any idea about how long they will be out because it's seems as though Stoops discloses very little. Then hardly any Sooner will participate in the combines. They (NFL draft whomever) could get the perception that either (a) OU is thumbing their nose and being arrogant or (b) hiding injuries, in which case rumors will start. Anyway, 232! Payday.
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What I'm far more concerned about is that guys leave early who have no business leaving (Smith, Lofton) and those who arguably DO have reason to leave (Kelly) generally don't pan out because we OU fans tend to WAY overrate our talent, especially as it relates to the NFL. How about for one time one of our star players who isn't the best ever (Peterson) gets into the league and has a similarly great career...because I'm not seeing that from anyone named Marshall, Heupel, White, Hybl, Strait, Woolfolk, Everege, Calmus, Lehman, etc. Arrogance and hidden injures are NOT those guys problem...talent is. And there's at least a 50-50 chance on that history alone that Kelly, like these others will tend to be a bust, rather than a star.