Alabama’s Former Five-Star Keon Keeley Primed for a HUGE 2025 Season – Can He Finally Deliver?

Keon Keeley, an Alabama defensive lineman, has pretty much the same last two posts on his X page. The first is from early August 2023 and has two pictures with the caption “Year 1.” The second is from July 2024 and has two new pictures with the caption “Year Two.”

For 247Sports’ No. 3 overall recruit in the 2023 class, neither of his two years turned out well in terms of production. However, things look very different for his third season, and the defensive lineman hasn’t said anything about it yet.

Even though Keeley’s third career stop barely makes up for the time he spent in college, Alabama fans are still hopeful that this will be the year that he starts to make a difference for the Crimson Tide defense.

Alabama football recruiting is off to a slow start in the 2026 cycle. Here’s why Alabama fans shouldn’t worry.
Cody Nagel
Alabama football recruiting is off to a slow start in the 2026 cycle. Here’s why Alabama fans shouldn’t worry.
A source told CBS Sports that Keon has grown up and become more useful in the defense. “… He’s gained a lot of trust from his teammates as he has improved his execution and production.”

Keeley started out at Alabama as an outside linebacker weighing 240 pounds. But last season, the 6-foot-5 Keeley moved to the defensive line room and put on 40 pounds. He is now in a good place to be a part of the Crimson Tide’s defensive line rotation this year.

When it comes to Alabama’s Bandit position, Keeley is battling with redshirt sophomore and former top-100 recruit Jordan Renaud for second-team reps. LT Overton is an early-round NFL draft prospect. The Tide also thinks Keeley might be able to move inside on third downs, even in its Dime group, and be a pass rusher who can make things hard for offensive guards on the other team.

“He’s better than before,” a person said. “The older men in the room have done a great job with him, and he really sees things in this way: I’m going to do these things.” That being said, you can count on him to be tough in pass rushes.

Keeley’s biggest changes seem to have happened in how she acts and how mature she is becoming. Sources say he is “physically gifted,” but it’s his progress in other areas that has Alabama fans hopeful that he may finally be ready to start making a difference on defense for the Crimson Tide.

A person said, “I think he will (make a big step forward).” “He will play.”