Alabama fans waited patiently for Keon Keeley to live up to the promise that made him a former 5-star recruit and one of the top overall players in the 2023 recruiting class. After taking a redshirt during his first season in Tuscaloosa, Keeley changed positions from outside linebacker to Bandit in a new defensive scheme upon Nick Saban's retirement.
After a transition year in 2024, Keeley began to breakout in 2025 as a rotational piece on the Crimson Tide's defensive line. Keeley finished his redshirt sophomore season with 13 total tackles and three sacks. He recorded a sack in Alabama's win over Oklahoma in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, seeing extensive snaps with LT Overton out with an injury.
Even with Overton exhausting his eligibility and opening up an opportunity at Bandit, Keeley has made the decision to move on after three seasons in Tuscaloosa. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Keeley will enter the Transfer Portal.
NEWS: Alabama defensive end Keon Keeley tells ESPN that he’s entering the NCAA transfer portal. He’s the former No. 1 defensive end from the class of 2023 and ESPN’s No. 12 overall recruit that year. pic.twitter.com/BmyTmgZKN4
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 4, 2026
Keon Keeley is headed to the Transfer Portal
Keeley had been a rumored portal entry ever since he took a redshirt as a freshman. More was expected from the elite recruit out of high school, but the patience that Alabama's coaching staff showed in the blue-chip prospect appeared to finally be paying off.
The reward for that patience will be reaped by another program, unfortunately.
Alabama's current Bandit room, barring further Transfer Portal departures, would seemingly be led by veterans Jordan Renaud and Kelby Collins. Alabama signed five defensive linemen in the 2026 high school recruiting class, but is also in the market for upgrades up front on defense.
Alabama is heavily in the mix for USC transfer Devan Thompkins, a versatile 290-pound defensive lineman who could play snaps on the defensive interior or on the outside at Bandit. Other names are likely to emerge as well as the Crimson Tide looks to bulk up on both lines of scrimmage.
You can follow all of Alabama's Transfer Portal activity by following this link.