Stats show Tennessee’s John Kelly is the toughest RB to tackle in the SEC

Tennessee will need John Kelly to come up big if they hope to compete in the SEC East this season.

The Volunteers star RB has put up some strong numbers through the first four games of the season. Kelly has rushed for 450 yards and 6 TDs while also adding 182 yards receiving. He is averaging 6.4 yards a touch and nearly led the Volunteers to a comeback win over Florida.

Kelly has shown an incredible ability to get up field and make defenders miss, and two stats highlight Kelly’s play making ability.

The CFB Film Room has Kelly with 34 total forced missed tackles this season.

Thru 4 games, Tennessee RB John Kelly has already forced 34 missed tackle (27 on rush att, 7 on receptions)

— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) September 26, 2017

Pro Football Focus College Football has also graded Kelly as the most elusive RB in the SEC.

The SEC's most elusive backs – led by Tennessee's John Kelly. pic.twitter.com/5HZWvZCrAG

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 25, 2017

The Volunteers are 3-1 on the season, but are coming off a sluggish performance in their 17-14 victory over UMass. Tennessee and Kelly will need to be better when they take on No. 7 Georgia in Knoxville Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 pm EST on CBS.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.