Alabama signee Keon Keeley talks shoulder surgery recovery, goals for the next level
Most college football teams would be more than pleased with an 11-2 record (those losses being by a combined four points) and a victory in a New Year’s Six Bowl game.
But not Alabama.
The Crimson Tide are accustomed to competing for and winning national championships on a yearly basis. Nick Saban‘s program has gone two straight seasons without winning it all, but they’re hoping to change that this upcoming season.
A big help for Alabama will be the No. 1 class they signed in December, with its highest-rated signee being Keon Keeley.
“I feel like it’s not even just me. I think the whole team wants to get back to Alabama’s standard,” Keeley told BamaInsider on Wednesday. “Honestly, if you look at our last season… for any other program, it might be different, but our standard is a national championship. That’s Alabama’s standard and that’s one of the reasons why I chose Alabama. The standard is to be the best. If you want to be the best version of yourself… I just felt like Alabama was the best destination for me.”
PART ONE: Alabama 5-star EDGE signee Keon Keeley reflects on recruitment, talks A-Day Game visit
Of course, there will be high expectations for Keeley. The Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Preparatory School recruit finished as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect behind Tennessee signee Nico Iamaleava.
Keeley, however, is not aiming to be the next Will Anderson Jr. or next anyone, for that matter.
“Going to the University of Alabama is such a great, amazing opportunity,” Keeley said. “When people say being the next this, the next that… I mean, my name potentially being in the same conversation as Will Anderson is insane.
“But overall, I want to be the next great Alabama player,” Keeley continued. “Not even just outside linebacker or Will Anderson; I just want to be the best version of myself and I just want to represent the Tide every Saturday. Put the best version of myself out there.”
As for his long-term goals, Keeley is looking to string together solid, productive days in order to reach his final destination.
“My goal and my dream is to go to the NFL,” Keeley said. “It’s up to me if I do that. I just have to take things day by day. Work hard. Be the best version of myself. Pride myself in the classroom and also on the field. Success will come if I work hard.”
Keon Keeley discusses decision to battle through injury
In February, Keeley had a procedure done on his left shoulder by Dr. Lyle Cain in Birmingham (Ala.). The surgery required him to initially wear a sling, but Keeley now no longer needs additional support and has been lifting weights/working out the past few weeks.
“My shoulder is good,” Keeley said. “Rehabbing it. Feels really good. Excited to keep getting stronger and play football. I just know my shoulder feels amazing.”
What’s amazing about Keeley is that this injury was nagging him for most of his senior season.
With a spot secured at essentially any college program he wanted to go to, Keeley could have easily taken the rest of the year off and recovered. Instead, Keeley pushed through adversity and recorded a career-high 17 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss.
“Me personally, I would never 100 percent let myself not play because I love football and I owe it to my teammates, owe it to my coaches, and owe it to my school,” Keeley said. “Hurt or not, if I can play, I’m going to play.”
Alabama EDGE signee Keon Keeley. (Jeremy Johnson/On3)
Keeley also would have had a legitimate reason to pass on competing in an all-star game setting. Once again, Keeley’s competitive nature prevailed as he put on a strong display at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio (Tx.) this past January.
“The school I’m going to is based on competition and stepping up to the plate,” Keeley said. “There are a lot of things you don’t have to do, but you should still do them. I went in with a mindset that I’m going to compete with the best, and I’m going to put the best version of myself out there.”
At that event, it was anticipated by media members and fans alike for Keeley to face off against five-star Alabama offensive lineman signee Kadyn Proctor.
“We knew everybody wanted to see me go against him. All the producers said the same thing,” Keeley said. “After the practice, he came up to me and he was like, ‘They all want to see us go together. But that’s not for here, that’s for Bama when there’s no media.”
Keeley talks playing with Alabama EDGE signee Yhonzae Pierre, being coached by Nick Saban
Speaking of Proctor, Keeley is ready for the opportunity to go up against top offensive linemen at Alabama every day. Keeley believes that iron sharpens iron, and that Bama’s practices will get him prepared for SEC competition.
Keeley is also looking forward to joining the outside linebacker room with fellow five-star EDGE signee Yhonzae Pierre.
“Yhonzae and I are really cool,” Keeley said. “Met him a few times… we’re both really cool with each other. We’re just excited to be on the team, play the same position, learn from the guys who are older, and be the best versions of ourselves.”
The high-intensity nature of the practices and becoming the best version of himself are two aspects about Alabama that Keeley is anticipating.
Another key part of the next chapter of his life is being coached by Nick Saban.
“It’s a really surreal experience that I will get to have,” Keeley said of playing for Saban. “It is a dream come true. To be able to see it every day and being held to the standard of not just looking at him from the outside as a fan, but to look at him from the inside as being one of his players. It’s a completely different mindset. I’m just so happy to play under such an experienced coach that’s just as determined as everyone else on the staff. It’s a crazy experience to say he’s my coach. I’m excited to play for him.”
The accountability at Alabama in Saban’s program will also be embraced by Keeley.
“I just know that in order for myself to be successful, I need to be held to a standard,” Keeley said. “I need to work hard and push myself every day. If I do that, like Coach Saban told me, everything will fall into place. I just want to win. I want to be a great player, I want to work hard, and I want to represent Alabama.”
Alabama fans, also be sure to join the discussion about Keon Keeley on the Talk of Champions message board. There’s always a lot of great team, recruiting, and off-topic conversations going on. So, we look forward to talking with you all there!
The post Alabama signee Keon Keeley talks shoulder surgery recovery, goals for the next level appeared first on On3.
