Shaking hands with Nijay Kelly involves sure-fire risk.
Yours could disappear, perhaps never to be found again, or maybe get broken into pieces.
Aside from boasting strong, gigantic mitts, the 6-3, 192-pound Kelly, a senior wideout for Samuel Fels High's football team, runs 40 yards in 4.4 seconds and can dunk on 11-foot baskets
(eeeeeeasily).
Now, all he needs is a scholarship. And he's not inclined to stick his nose in the air.
"It's not all about D-1. I just want to be somewhere on the next level," Kelly said. "The place that gives me a chance, I'm going to appreciate it and work hard.
"I'd love to play in the pros down the line. My family has been through some rough times. I could be the one to help us get out of them. I want to be the one."
Just 3 years ago, Kelly had never played down one of football. Even in 10th grade, upon trying out for coach Bill Harrigan's squad, he figured his position would be quarterback. Just because. But a switch to receiver quickly occurred and, after a year of development, Kelly has become quite the head-turner.
His junior and senior seasons have produced 61 catches for 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns, an uncommonly high total for someone in the Public League, and Harrigan is certain that Kelly could produce on anyone's level.
So far, Syracuse, Michigan and Rutgers have made preliminary contact, and Temple and Minnesota have gone a step beyond, requesting tape and transcripts. Also, in less than a month, Kelly is scheduled to attend an evaluation session in South Jersey to perform in front of numerous scouts.
"Any ball that's near him, he's able to get it," Harrigan said. "In part that's because of his leaping ability, but it's also because of his smarts and desire. And he's flat-out instinctive. Whoever gets Nijay is going to be very happy."
If not for two factors, Kelly's receiving numbers would be borderline astronomical.
A year ago, he took somewhat of a back seat because then-quarterback Tyree "Bam" Rucker had a special kinship with fellow senior Jared Hines. And when this season began, Messiah Mitchell had to resolve a school issue before he could make it onto the field. He debuted in Week 4.
"That's my brothah. We're good," Kelly said, laughing. "He was so anxious to start playing. I told him to be patient and do what he had to do, then we could be out here together. Great relationship."
Alas, it's now on hold. Before last week's game, Mitchell dropped a weight on his throwing hand and could make only a brief appearance in a loss to Lincoln. Taking over was Marc Prompt, a midseason transfer from Northeast, and he again played QB Thursday in a 22-0 win at Thomas Edison.
"Another quarterback. It's rough," Kelly said. "I had such a good thing going with 'Mitch.' It's OK, though, because we only have the one game left [Thanksgiving at Frankford]. Prompt and me have a chance to work on things some more in practice."
The personable Kelly is one of those guys who looks at someone in action and figures, "I could do that."
Part of him envisions being the next Terrell Owens (without the lunacy, though he does appreciate the guy's candor) while the rest senses a stint in front of cameras. And we don't mean point-and-shoots.
"I'd love being an actor," he said.
Already has been, at least a little.
"Last year, I was in a play in school, 'Bang Bang You're Dead,' " Kelly said. "I played the main character. We didn't do it in the auditorium. It was in our acting room with a couple classes of kids watching. It was interesting. I did a great job.
"Will Smith, he's my inspiration. I used to watch him when I was young and think I could follow him. Like him, I don't want to be in character lock. I want to do comedy and drama. Play a whole bunch of different characters. More interesting, right?"
What's intriguing is Kelly's family situation. Though he formerly lived on 12th near Wyoming, in Logan, he's now based on Divinity, near 51st and Chester, in Southwest Philly. The journey to Fels necessitates a trolley, the El and a bus and often takes 90 minutes.
"Crazy, I know, but I wanted to still be here," he said.
Once football ends, he'll again become a basketball mainstay, so the days won't become any shorter.
"Basketball helps me with football in terms of knowing where guys are," Kelly said. "It keeps me aware of my surroundings. If the ball's coming and I see a defender, I use the right moves to get around him.
"I like being the go-to guy in certain situations. I also like running my routes and breaking defenders down." Pause. Smile. "Making them look stupid, actually. I don't talk trash to them, though, unless they do it to me. Know what, though? Two guys talked to me this year and I didn't even talk back. Just showed them. They couldn't stop me."
One suspects such dominance would continue. Even in D-I.