Arkansas commitment Cole Kelley, a quarterback at Lafayette (La.) Teurlings Catholic, went through a life-changing experience a few years ago.
Kelley, 15 at the time, was driving a friend home early on the morning of Feb. 10, 2013, when he happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Seth Fontenot, 18, who'd had his truck burglarized three times, mistakenly thought Kelley, William Bellamy and Austin Rivault had broken into his truck as they drove through the neighborhood and fired his 9mm Beretta handgun three times into the pickup.
Kelley was hit once in an ankle, Bellamy was shot in the neck, and Rivault was fatally shot in the head.
"They DNA tested and finger-printed us, and they know now we didn't do it," Kelley said.
Fontenot was charged with first-degree murder, and a jury found him guilty of manslaughter and aggravated battery in March. In July, a judge sentenced Fontenot to 13 months in prison.
Kelley said he learned a valuable lesson.
"Life is so precious," said Kelley, who celebrated his 18th birthday Tuesday.
The experience also strengthened him.
"If you can get through something like that, you can get through just about anything," Kelley said.
The friendship between Kelley and Bellamy was already strong, but it became even stronger after the ordeal.
"He and I have been best friends forever, ever since I can remember," Kelley said. "We grew up playing sports together."
Kelley had one of his better games of the season Oct. 23 against Lafayette St. Thomas More Catholic, outdueling Bellamy, who plays quarterback for St. Thomas More. Kelley, 6-7, 250 pounds, completed 26 of 46 passes for 370 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception in a 42-28 victory. He also rushed 20 times for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns.
"It's two private schools, and it's a big rivalry and we all know one another personally," Kelley said.
Kelley, who chose Arkansas over scholarship offers from Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Colorado State, Tulane, Southern Miss and others, completed 198 of 368 passes for 3,001 yards with 31 touchdowns and 9 interceptions as a junior.
He has completed 153 of 268 passes for 2,102 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season. He's also rushed 72 times for 240 yards and 6 touchdowns.
This season has had it's challenges.
"I struggled early with a new group of receivers," Kelley said. "We're now starting to get on a roll offensively."
Kelley said his skill set has improved since his junior season.
" I've gotten much stronger," Kelley said. "I worked on my legs a lot more. I think I run a little bit faster than I did last year, but I think I run more effectively and smarter."
Kelley said he watched Arkansas play Auburn but didn't quite make it through to the end of the four-overtime game, which the Razorbacks won 54-46.
" I fell asleep in the first overtime," Kelley said. "My mom came in and woke me up, freaking out. I didn't know what happened. She said Arkansas had won. I was so mad I missed that."
Kelley said he is in touch with Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema and offensive coordinator Dan Enos at least once a week.
"It's more than football with them," Kelley said. "That's why I like them so much."
Kelley said he also appreciates that Enos is strong in his faith.
"Coach Enos is actually a Catholic like me, and I really believe in my faith a lot," Kelley said. "I go to Mass every Sunday. I try and do the right things, and I believe it will pay off. A good guy will get what's coming to him."
E-mail Richard Davenport at
rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
Sports on 11/01/2015