When Daniel Kelso came out of High School he was projected as the 8th best prospect in the country. A homegrown California kid who was expected to look at California but eventually decide on in-state powerhouse USC to continue his rise to what many believed was a start on Sunday's.
Kelso took the visits and even added Louisville, Michigan State, Baylor and a short hop to Virginia “because it was close.” What happened after that was an on-going line of communication between Kelso and Virginia that didn't stop after he visited in Week 5 of the 2016 season. Kelso would go to other schools and look, all the while keeping in close communication with the faculty at Virginia.
Kelso made his mind up in Week 11 with a commitment. He'dn make it official the first week of the 2017 season – signing day. From there, it was no looking back.
Kelso would arrive on the Virginia field in 2018. Week 1 showing off an impressive set of tools on the way to 369 yards and 3 Touchdowns. It was good for Offensive player of the game – a feat he would rack up virtually every single week while also winning ACC Offensive Player of the Year in his first year starting with Virginia.
The very next year he would double down on his efforts and put up even better numbers. This time Kelso's 5297 yards and 59 Touchdowns were good enough to land him as the winner of the Heisman Trophy, the most coveted individual award in college football.
But this year is no different. Kelso is again the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy Award and powering a Virginia team that looks to be on its way to making a run in the College Football Playoffs. Will Kelso win the Heisman Trophy this year? The simple answer is it's his to lose, but a look back on history will tell you that Kelso doesn't lose often – a pattern that should continue this year as a two-time Heisman trophy award winner and one of the most looked at prospects in the NFL Draft.