'23 FL DE Keon Keeley (Prodigal Son)

[irishff1014]

Paraphrasing reaper. Downplaying the need of Keon at ND because JPP starting (so what?), and using NDs defense as being better than Bamas to justify.

We need Keon's in ever class and he would definitely be playing this year, yes, on a team that is likely better than Bamas defensively.

This is the cycle ND fans need to break 1) Missing on elite talent 2) time passing 3) "only want players who want to be here" and "so whats" 4) Wondering why we haven't won a major bowl since the 90s.

We also need the experience and the transfers like JJB. He has been a huge difference to the defense.

 

[CanadalovesND]

That’s not true.
Bama has struggled to get a pass rush & they have been calling for the younger guys to get snaps.
ND’s Defense if just as good as, if not better than Bama’s.
And Keeley would not be starting over JJP this year. Not even close.

Have they? Their two starting edge players have a combined 13.5 sacks. Maybe across the board as a group there has been some struggles to establish a pass rush, but the dudes at his position have been doing well (statistically, at least).

I agree that he wouldn't have been starting over JPP or even Botelho. But, he still would have seen the field at ND this year.

 

[Lberry]

We also need the experience and the transfers like JJB. He has been a huge difference to the defense.

Not mutually exclusive though.

 

[NDMatt91]

I'd take a grad transfer and an undergrad (Keeley or David Bailey from Stanford, for example) at DE.

 

[stlnd01]

Would Keeley be playing the JJB position or the Botelho position for us?
Either way, yeah he's not starting for us this year but he'd probably see the field as a rotational player and set up to start in '24 and '25.
Alas.

I do wonder if he would be at all a realistic transfer option. Probably not. But I remember on one of his podcasts at the end of last season Sampson was talking about how ND should pursue kids they'd recruited but ultimately went elsewhere who might - after a year - have realized NIL isn't all it's cracked up to be and the grass isn't necessarily greener at a football factory.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Keeley was an overrated prospect last year.

Don't get it twisted, his upside was insane and I hate that he isn't suited up for ND, but he had a ways to go in terms of technique.

He wasn't going to be a day 1 impact guy. He's a guy who, with quality coaching and development, has the talent to be an elite player.

But top 10 overall should be reserved for guys who are ready NOW. Keeley clearly wasn't and it shows with his lack of impact for Bama, despite the need for it. Doesn't mean he's a bust, just that nobody should be surprised that he's yet to make any impact as a freshman.

 

[DillonHall]

Keeley was an overrated prospect last year.

Don't get it twisted, his upside was insane and I hate that he isn't suited up for ND, but he had a ways to go in terms of technique.

He wasn't going to be a day 1 impact guy. He's a guy who, with quality coaching and development, has the talent to be an elite player.

But top 10 overall should be reserved for guys who are ready NOW. Keeley clearly wasn't and it shows with his lack of impact for Bama, despite the need for it. Doesn't mean he's a bust, just that nobody should be surprised that he's yet to make any impact as a freshman.

I think most people expected him to contribute early. I don't remember many people saying he was overrated

 

[Crazy Balki]

I think most people expected him to contribute early. I don't remember many people saying he was overrated

ISD said pretty much that.

Huge upside, elite athlete for his size, but still needed development in technique. Granted, he wasn't Justin Scott raw, but still raw.

Like I said, Keeley was a top 10 overall player in '23. His potential was that, but he wasn't there just yet.

It's playing out just as that at Alabama.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Who said that and where?

Paraphrasing reaper. Downplaying the need of Keon at ND because JPP starting (so what?), and using NDs defense as being better than Bamas to justify.

We need Keon's in ever class and he would definitely be playing this year, yes, on a team that is likely better than Bamas defensively.

This is the cycle ND fans need to break 1) Missing on elite talent 2) time passing 3) "only want players who want to be here" and "so whats" 4) Wondering why we haven't won a major bowl since the 90s.

Getting snaps and starting are very different though. I guess the underlying point is that we have one of the best defenses in the country. Our defense is elite relative to the rest of the country this year, so while getting a Keon Keeley is awesome, its not the emd of the world. We dont have any Keon Keeley level recruits on the field this year and have been just fine. The defense was actually pretty good last year too minus the red zone.

 

[DillonHall]

ISD said pretty much that.

Huge upside, elite athlete for his size, but still needed development in technique. Granted, he wasn't Justin Scott raw, but still raw.

Like I said, Keeley was a top 10 overall player in '23. His potential was that, but he wasn't there just yet.

It's playing out just as that at Alabama.

Some dude named Crazy Balki didn't seem to think that on 12/13/2022

"I'm all for taking projects with upside. But it can't be all ND brings in. I think Armel Mukam can turn into a high level player, but he's extremely raw and has a lot of work to reach that point. Whereas Keeley is a guy who could realistically start week 1, and has a higher probability to be a high level player. "

2023 - State of the Recruiting Class

 

[Crazy Balki]

Some dude named Crazy Balki didn't seem to think that on 12/13/2022

"I'm all for taking projects with upside. But it can't be all ND brings in. I think Armel Mukam can turn into a high level player, but he's extremely raw and has a lot of work to reach that point. Whereas Keeley is a guy who could realistically start week 1, and has a higher probability to be a high level player. "

2023 - State of the Recruiting Class

None of that debunks what I said.

Keeley could have been a week 1 starter for us realistically. Keyword there is "could".

And he absolutely does have a higher probability of turning into a high level player than someone like Mukam. Still does IMO.

That doesn't change the fact that people who review far more film than I do and are paid to scout these players believed that Keeley was somebody who needed development in order to reach his potential.

Also keep in mind that this was prior to ND landing JJB, so the state of SDE was not the same at the time than it was going into this season. Very likely that had ND not landed JJB and had ND landed Keeley, he'd probably be starting or at least rotating in with NaNa. Not so much because he's ready, but because ND's options are limited.

 

[JamIrish]

Saban mentioned that Keeley and Yhonzae Pierre were the only freshman that didn't enroll early so they were behind in development and learning the defense. Bama has Dallas Turner who is projected a top 10 draft pick and Chris Braswell who is a Senior and was also a 5 star top 10 player in his class. Keeley is one of SEVEN 5 star edge players BAMA has on their roster. Keeley, Russaw, Pierre, Alexander, Campbell, Koht, Turner, and Braswell were all top 5 edge players. BAMA has moved some guys to the inside just to make room for them all. Keeley not seeing the field at BAMA has more to do with the plethora of talent BAMA has at the position IMO.

 

[DillonHall]

LOL you can't say "could realistically start" and then matter-of-factly say "He wasn't going to be a day 1 impact guy"

Don't pretend that you knew he was going to redshirt after you expressed opposite viewpoints

BTW ISD/Jamie U ranked Keeley the 4th best player in the country in his Fab 50

 

[DillonHall]

Saban mentioned that Keeley and Yhonzae Pierre were the only freshman that didn't enroll early so they were behind in development and learning the defense. Bama has Dallas Turner who is projected a top 10 draft pick and Chris Braswell who is a Senior and was also a 5 star top 10 player in his class. Keeley is one of SEVEN 5 star edge players BAMA has on their roster. Keeley, Russaw, Pierre, Alexander, Campbell, Koht, Turner, and Braswell were all top 5 edge players. BAMA has moved some guys to the inside just to make room for them all. Keeley not seeing the field at BAMA has more to do with the plethora of talent BAMA has at the position IMO.

Yeah for sure. He would've had much less competition at ND

 

[ColinKSU]

I don’t see any stats for him for the season at Alabama. Has he even played? Dude seemed like he would be a great fit at ND. He would’ve seen the field and likely could’ve made big NIL money here

I’m sure his uncle doesn’t regret it.

 

[Crazy Balki]

LOL you can't say "could realistically start" and then matter-of-factly say "He wasn't going to be a day 1 impact guy"

Don't pretend that you knew he was going to redshirt after you expressed opposite viewpoints

BTW ISD/Jamie U ranked Keeley the 4th best player in the country in his Fab 50

Can and did. And explained how it doesn't refute my point

 

[T Town Tommy]

Keeley will be fine. Get a year of development and learn the defense. Seems like a hard working player and a good kid. Potential is there… but it doesn’t come for free either.

 

[notredomer23]

but it doesn’t come for free either.

This is definitely true per Mama Keeley

 

[T Town Tommy]

This is definitely true per Mama Keeley

😂

 

[Blazers46]

Saban mentioned that Keeley and Yhonzae Pierre were the only freshman that didn't enroll early so they were behind in development and learning the defense. Bama has Dallas Turner who is projected a top 10 draft pick and Chris Braswell who is a Senior and was also a 5 star top 10 player in his class. Keeley is one of SEVEN 5 star edge players BAMA has on their roster. Keeley, Russaw, Pierre, Alexander, Campbell, Koht, Turner, and Braswell were all top 5 edge players. BAMA has moved some guys to the inside just to make room for them all. Keeley not seeing the field at BAMA has more to do with the plethora of talent BAMA has at the position IMO.

Yup!! I’ll go back to what I said. Keely is just another Dude over there. I won’t pretend his PT would more anticipated at ND than Alabama.

 

[DillonHall]

Can and did. And explained how it doesn't refute my point

LOL ok dude. My bad for pointing out your two opposite statements

BTW kudos to the search function on this website

 

[Crazy Balki]

LOL ok dude. My bad for pointing out your two opposite statements

BTW kudos to the search function on this website

BTW, kudos for your incorrect view on the definition of "opposite".

 

[SeekNDestroy]

"NDs defense is better so Keon wouldn't be getting snaps here either" shows a broken thought process.

You know all about broken thought processes.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

With Saban leaving I immediately thought of Keon.

You have to at least call and ask, right?

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

With Saban leaving I immediately thought of Keon.

You have to at least call and ask, right?

Not good enough

 

[Blazers46]

With Saban leaving I immediately thought of Keon.

You have to at least call and ask, right?

Keon would have to if not in the portal. ND can’t because it would be cheating and we know how the NCAA deals with cheating.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Not good enough

With Saban leaving I immediately thought of Keon.

You have to at least call and demand he transfer + lead ND to multiple national championships, right?

 

[Irishokie]

We can call, it just can’t be direct contact. Skip over Keon’s number that is still saved in MF^2 phone and inquire with momma Keeley.
🎶You! You got what I need🎶

 

[NDWarrior]

Do we even know if he has played enough school? Is he still early enough in his college time at 'bama to be considered by ND?

 

[SeekNDestroy]

Do we even know if he has played enough school? Is he still early enough in his college time at 'bama to be considered by ND?

He’s only been there for a semester.