Five-star EDGE Keon Keeley comments on status of Notre Dame commitment
Tampa area high schools football programs held media day at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, on Tuesday. Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep class of 2023 EDGE and Notre Dame commit Keon Keeley was among the players in attendance.
SBLive Sports reporter Andy Villamarzo asked Keeley about the status of his Notre Dame commitment in light of Alabama’s recent push for him. Keeley affirmed that he remains committed to the Irish but did not close the door on other opportunities.
“Right now with my commitment, all I know at this exact moment is that I’m committed to the University of Notre Dame,” Keeley said. “I can’t really speak out on my favorites, but I know that I’m committed to the University of Notre Dame, and my teammates and I have a big season ahead.
“I’m focused on practices day-by-day, and whenever I get spare time at night, I talk with my family and my head coach about recruiting. All I know is that I’m committed to the University of Notre Dame.”
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Keeley has taken a total of five visits to South Bend, including an official visit in June. In late July, Keeley took his second trip to Tuscaloosa to see the Alabama Cirmson Tide. He also visited Nick Saban‘s program in January. Keeley has also taken trips to Florida and Ohio State since giving his pledge to the Irish last summer.
Notre Dame will have to continue to fight to hold on to the five-star recruit, who ranks as the nation’s No. 12 player and No. 1 EDGE per the 2023 On3 Consensus. It does appear as if he is not done taking other visits.
Keeley’s junior season was nothing short of sensational. He made 61 tackles (34.0 tackles for loss) 16.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, one interception, broke up three passes and forced two fumbles. And that’s just in 12 games; stats for his state title game in which Berkeley lost were not made available.
The five-star recruit was named to the FloridaHSFootball.com class 3A first-team defense and was voted by the fans as the 3A defensive player of the year.
Keeley has an On3 NIL Valuation of $260,000, which is No. 22 in the high school NIL rankings. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.
Keeley’s On3 Scouting Report
“Long pass rusher with high-end flexibility and finishing ability behind the line of scrimmage. Has a big frame at 6-foot-6, 230 pounds with outstanding length (7-foot wing-span). Plays with advanced bend and flexibility, sinking his hips and using his supreme length to create disruption off the edge. Already shows signs of some technical acuity with quick hands and pass rush moves. Displays strong closing speed and finishes plays behind the line of scrimmage at a high rate. Among the more productive pass rushers in the nation as a junior. Also a bouncy athlete with a basketball background.”
On3 compares Williams’ style of play to former Ohio State and current Washington Commanders EDGE Chase Young.
