Alabama Football lands 5-star Edge Keon Keeley
Alabama football got another big-time addition to its top-ranked 2023 recruiting class, landing 5-star edge Keon Keeley. Keeley, a product of Tampa, Florida, is considered to be a top-10 player in the nation and the best edge prospect in the 2023 cycle.
At 6’6” and 245 pounds, Keon Keeley has freakish physical tools and near-limitless natural ability. Much like Will Anderson Jr., he projects to have the versatility to play outside linebacker or with a hand in the dirt in Alabama’s 3-4 scheme.
He joins a 2023 class that includes elite defenders such as Caleb Downs (the nation’s top safety), Jahlil Hurley and Tony Mitchell (both top-10 defensive backs in the country), and 4-star edge Yhonzae Pierre.
Alabama football is in the midst of an unprecedented run recruiting the edge position. With his commitment to Coach Nick Saban, Keon Keeley follows in the footsteps of former 5-stars Will Anderson Jr., Drew Sanders, Chris Braswell, Dallas Turner, Jeremiah Alexander, and Jihaad Campbell. He becomes the seventh 5-star edge to pledge with the Tide over a span of four recruiting cycles. Alabama has also signed several 4-star edge players in that time period.
The presence of Keon Keeley instantly upgrades an edge room that was already slated to be very strong in Tuscaloosa next season. While it is widely assumed that Anderson Jr. will enter the NFL Draft, Dallas Turner (12.5 career sacks) and Chris Braswell (2.5 career sacks) are expected to return as the leaders of the group. Quandarrius Robinson is another upperclassman expected to return.
Rising redshirt sophomore Keanu Koht and rising true sophomore Jeremiah Alexander are former highly-touted recruits that could potentially find a role. Keeley and fellow incoming freshman Yhonzae Pierre are both high-upside pass rushers and will have the opportunity to break into the rotation in year one.
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Alabama football continues to pursue several other elite recruits, prioritizing 5-star defenders James Smith and Qua Russaw from Montgomery. Early National Signing Day is just over a week away, and it appears that the Crimson Tide will finish strong once again!