Virginia picks up portal transfer DB Kelly from Tar Heels

By Jerry Ratcliffe

One of Tony Elliott’s goals stated on National Signing Day last month was to address the need at defensive back via the transfer portal after losing star cornerback Fentrell Cypress.

Elliott made some progress in filling the void on Friday when former University of North Carolina defensive back Cam’Ron Kelly announced via social media that he is transferring to UVA. Kelly is a 6-foot-1, 210-pound DB, originally a 4-star recruit out of Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Kelly, who entered the portal on Dec. 5, played four years for the Tar Heels and posted 180 career tackles, five interceptions, 12 passes broken up, one forced fumble and two tackles for loss.

His standout year was in 2021 when he made the All-ACC third-team with four interceptions, which tied for the most in the league, to go along with 69 tackles and seven passes defended. This past season, Kelly made 49 tackles, had one interception, and one pass break up for Mack Brown’s Tar Heels.

Kelly visited UVA on Thursday and Friday of this week and made his decision and announcement on Friday. When he played at Oscar Smith, he was rated the No. 5 overall prospect in the state.

He becomes the fifth player from the transfer portal to commit to UVA, joining quarterback Tony Muskett (Monmouth), running back Kobe Pace (Clemson), wide receiver Malik Washington (Northwestern) and offensive lineman Daijon Parker (Saginaw Valley State).