He is now known for establishing a legacy on Rocky Top, as Todd Kelly’s son, Todd Kelly Jr., became a five-year player with Tennessee football and helped the program transition from Butch Jones to Jeremy Pruitt. The original Todd Kelly waitied three years as a reserve before he could become a full-time starter in 1992.
Just like his son would do, Kelly also had to be a part of a transition, as 1992 was the year that ended with Phillip Fulmer replacing Johnny Majors. Kelly earned All-SEC honors as a starter then with 21 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks and 38 total tackles. He finished his career on Rocky Top with 36.5 tackles for a loss and 22.5 sacks.
Such production allowed the 6’2″ 259-pound defensive end to become a first-round NFL Draft prospect, and he moved over to outside linebacker once he got to the pros. Like Cory Fleming and Craig Puki, Kelly had a short career, but it ended with a Super Bowl ring as part of a dynasty.
Kelly played in 14 games, starting in five of them in 1993, and then he forced two fumbles in 11 games and one start in 1994, when the 49ers won Steve young a championship. In 1995, Kelly played for the Cincinnati Bengals, and he split 1996 between the Bengals and Atlanta Falcons before his career ended. He played in 45 games and started in six of them over four years.