A consensus top-150 prospect coming out of high school, and coming into Clemson’s program after the departures of defensive ends Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd to the NFL, Xavier Kelly was on the fast track to contributing right away as a true freshman before a vehicle accident in the fall derailed the beginning of his first year.

Kelly, a former four-star recruit and U.S. Army All-American from Wichita (Kan.) East High School, was poised for early playing time after impressing early in fall camp, especially after fellow defensive end Austin Bryant suffered a foot fracture during the second week of practice.

But two days after Bryant’s injury occurred, Kelly sustained his own minor injuries after being struck by a car while driving a moped. He was in a walking boot for several weeks, and ultimately Clemson’s staff made the decision to redshirt him following the setback that would have cost him at least the first few games of the season.

While the circumstances were unfortunate, Kelly stayed positive and controlled what he could control. Reflecting on his redshirt experience, the former No. 1 player in Kansas believes he came out better in the end because of it.

“I definitely know the playbook a lot better than what I did before during fall camp,” Kelly told The Clemson Insider at Clemson’s Media Day prior to the Fiesta Bowl in December. “I got stronger physically, and I think redshirting was a good thing for me this year.”

Kelly, who was rated as high as the No. 99 overall prospect and the No. 8 weak-side defensive end nationally by 247Sports, chose Clemson over offers from Georgia, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Alabama and others when he committed in July 2015.

Kelly entered Clemson at 6-foot-5, 271 pounds, and currently weighs 265. Physically, he said he got stronger. Mentally, he gained a better understanding of the playbook, and said he was able to sit back and learn the finer points of the defensive end position.

“I learned a lot,” Kelly said. “I learned the little things, like alignment, how to line up, how to get in proper stance, hands (placement), technique and definitely the playbook. So, I learned a lot this year.”

Practicing against Clemson’s first-team offense every day was beneficial to Kelly’s development, too.

“I feel like playing against those guys, I got a lot better than I was coming in,” he said.

Moving forward, Kelly is simply focused on being his best, on and off the field. If he does that, he feels everything else will take care of itself.

“At the end of the day, I just want to be the best person I can be — academically, on the field,” Kelly said. “So, whatever I get out of that, I’ll be OK with it because I did my best.”

With his redshirt year in the books and spring practice starting in a matter of months, Kelly is excited to put everything he has learned together and compete for a role on the 2017 team.

“Redshirting was a good thing for me because I got to sit back and learn, learn from the older guys — guys like Clelin (Ferrell), Austin,” Kelly said. “I got to look at them and really look at the little things like technique, hand placement. I learned the playbook.

“Now I can sit back, wait till next year and really put all that stuff together and use it.”

We are now taking orders for our limited edition magazine Mission Accomplished. Remember Clemson’s championship season with this great magazine from the staff that covers Clemson football 365 days a year. Order yours today to make sure you get a copy!