Alabama football fans were finally met with the arrival of what many envisioned defensive lineman Keon Keeley could become on the biggest stage during the Crimson Tide's first-round victory over Oklahoma in the 2025 college football playoff.
The former five-star signee had his biggest impact in an Alabama uniform last Friday night in Norman, erupting for a sack, four tackles, and a pass deflection against the Sooners' offense. This boost helped the Tide seize momentum while successfully erasing a 17-point deficit to tie the largest comeback win in CFP postseason history.
Keeley's outburst comes at an opportune time for Alabama's defense after being without the services of their starting Bandit, LT Overton. Overton had been a steady veteran presence during the regular season, leading all Tide d-linemen with four sacks before missing the SEC Championship game with an illness.
Still, Keeley's rise shouldn't come as a surprise after flashing his potential through 11 games, registering two sacks, 11 tackles, a blocked punt, and a pass deflection. In 2023 & 2024, the Florida native had spent his first couple of seasons in Tuscaloosa as a redshirt talent developing behind the scenes.
During these times, Tide fans found themselves becoming impatient with Keeley due to his lack of immediate impact after being thought of as a prospect who could immediately follow in the recent footsteps of Alabama pass rushing standouts like Will Anderson Jr, Dallas Turner, and Chris Braswell, among others.
The 6-foot-5, 282-pounder has now appeared to have officially turned a corner and shed any allegations of being a potential "bust" in recruitment. Keeley looks to make his presence felt even more when Alabama lines up across from 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and the No.1 1-seeded Indiana Hoosiers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on New Year's Day.