At just 17, Crosby Kelly has already built the kind of football resumé most high school athletes spend years chasing. A senior at Campolindo High School, Kelly has been a two-way varsity starter since his sophomore year, an accomplishment that speaks as much to his work ethic as his raw talent.

“I was a freshman called up late in the season,” Kelly recalls. “That experience pushed me early and showed me what the next level looked like.”

Now, as he prepares to graduate, Kelly is headed to San Diego State University, where he plans to continue his football career and make an impact at the collegiate level.

Kelly plays both defensive end and tight end, wearing jersey #8 - a number he is honored to wear and channel the former Campo player, Charlie Murren, who became an early mentor.

“He showed me what it meant to work hard and lead,” Kelly says. “That stuck with me.”

Interestingly, football wasn’t always his primary sport. Growing up, Kelly spent years on the basketball court before shifting his focus in high school.

“Football just clicked,” he explains. “It’s different because it requires a level of trust you don’t always get in other sports. Every single play, you’re relying on the guys next to you.”

That trust has become a defining part of his experience at Campo, where team culture plays a central role.

Ask Kelly about the biggest influence on his football journey, and he doesn’t hesitate: Coach Macy.

“He’s like a father figure,” Kelly says. “People see what happens on the field, but they don’t see the hours he puts in behind the scenes. It’s constant.”

With a coaching staff of about four assistants sharing responsibilities, Campo’s program emphasizes collaboration, with both coaches and players.

“It’s all about showing up for each other,” Kelly says. 

That mindset has helped shape Kelly not just as an athlete, but as a leader.

Through football, Kelly has learned lessons that extend far beyond the field: perseverance, consistency, sacrifice, and accountability.

“You have to lead by example,” he says. 

Balancing academics and athletics hasn’t always been easy, but Kelly approaches it with discipline.

“It comes down to time management,” he explains. “You prioritize what matters first, (school and football) and you make it work.”

For younger athletes, his advice is straightforward:

“Try different things. Find what you love. And once you do, take responsibility for your own growth. The extra work outside of practice- that’s what separates people.”

Kelly recently visited San Diego State for spring practice, getting his first real taste of the college football environment he’s about to enter.

“It was eye-opening,” he says. “The speed, the intensity;it’s a whole different level. But it made me even more excited.”

His goals are clear: earn a starting role and become an impact player by his sophomore year.

But beyond football, Kelly keeps his long-term vision simple.

“I want to build a family someday,” he says. “That’s important to me.”

Kelly has lived in Moraga since he was one year old, after his family moved from Piedmont. He credits his parents for their constant support, especially as he navigates the demands of high-level athletics.

“They’ve always been there for me,” he says. “Even helping me get down to San Diego for a preview, it means a lot.”

He’s also part of a tight-knit family. His older brother Colin, 23, graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in film, while his sister Bridget, 21, attends TCU.

“They’ve both been great role models,” he adds.

As his high school career comes to a close, Kelly is already thinking about the next generation of Campo athletes. He points to freshman basketball standout Dom Byra as someone to watch.

“He’s starting as a freshman and making a big impact,” Kelly says. “Definitely someone people should keep an eye on.”

For Kelly, football has never been just about wins and stats. It’s about relationships, growth, and the lessons that carry forward into life.

“Football teaches you how to depend on people and how to be someone others can depend on,” he says.

As he heads to San Diego State, that mindset may prove to be his greatest strength!