One of the biggest enigmas for Alabama football is on its defense.
The Crimson Tide has a former five-star on its roster that is flooded with talent, but we have yet to see him become impactful.
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Alabama fans have been asking ‘where is Keon Keeley?’ from the moment he came from Florida in the Tide’s 2023 signing class as an outside linebacker. He arrived in the Nick Saban era and was on a Southeastern Conference Championship team, but Keeley was not prepared to contribute then. Fans were understanding as they have the knowledge that not every five-star develops into a marquee player in year one. Saban’s retirement brought in a new head coach, a new defensive coordinator, and a new scheme — transitioning from a 3-4 nickel alignment to a 4-2-5 “Swarm Defense.” Kane Wommack moves Keeley from a stand up rushing outside linebacker to a field-side “Bandit” defensive end. It was a change he was not expecting; however, Keeley chose to grow with the alteration and trust Wommack’s ability to develop him. He added weight in the summer, increasing from 242 to 277 pounds on his 6-foot-5 frame. People are so intrigued by Keeley’s size and potential it makes them wonder why he has not played much. The concern of him entering the NCAA transfer portal was so high after Saban retired that fans would check into different media outlets to make sure Keeley did not leave. He remained loyal, but what has been Keeley’s focus to help him get on the field?
Freddie Roach, Alabama’s defensive line coach, detailed Wednesday the focus Keeley has been on.
“Keon is still improving,” Roach said in Wednesday’s media availability. “The big thing is he’s gotta focus on being a better football player. I know he gets talked about a lot, but I told him don’t listen to it. He needs to focus on what it’s going to take for him to become a complete player.”
Today’s NIL and transfer portal culture in college football has players focused on the wrong things.
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They are focused on how much money they can accumulate in college or if the coaching staff is not catering to them, the idea is to transfer and go somewhere that the program caters to them. Keeley is probably getting a lot of people in his ear telling him what he should and should not do. The young man has to decipher who is feeding me the right or the wrong advice.
He is taking wisdom from Coach Roach and not paying attention to the outside chatter. Keeley’s time will come when he is prepared to step into it. He is growing into how to be consistent within the framework of Alabama’s defense.
The motivation for him is to continue to work in perfecting his craft.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
