Keon Keeley, a former standout defensive lineman for the Alabama Crimson Tide, has officially joined Notre Dame after entering the transfer portal. He made the announcement through his social media on Monday, expressing his excitement with the caption, “It all comes full circle. Go Irish.”
Career Overview of Keon Keeley
Keon Keeley was highly regarded as a five-star edge-rusher prospect hailing from Tampa, Florida. Upon joining Alabama, he was ranked as the top edge player in the 2023 recruiting class and as the second-best player nationally according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
Development at Alabama
- Freshman year: Did not play, adjusting to the program.
- Coaching transition: Underwent changes from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer.
- Position change: Shifted from edge rusher to defensive end, referred to as the “bandit” by coaches.
- Playing time: Limited at first but began seeing action in third-down packages during his second season.
By 2025, Keeley started to make a more significant impact on the field. He recorded 13 total tackles and three sacks during his final season, notably contributing in crucial game situations. Coach Kane Wommack acknowledged his progress, mentioning that Keeley was beginning to embrace his role effectively, particularly in passing scenarios.
Departure and Transfer to Notre Dame
Despite expressing intentions to remain at Alabama after their 38-3 loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl, Keeley opted to enter the transfer portal shortly afterward. His move is part of a broader trend at Alabama, particularly affecting the bandit position. Along with Keeley, other players such as LT Overton, James Smith, and Kelby Collins have also entered the portal.
The transfer portal remains open for undergraduates until Friday, allowing players to sign with new teams even after the entry window closes.
