Has the time come for Keon Keeley to be a key contributor on Alabama’s defense?

Alabama fans have been waiting to see former five-star Keon Keeley in action. Could his time as a key contributor be on the horizon in Tuscaloosa?

While nothing is definitive at this point in time, Keeley could see an uptick in the number of snaps he plays as a redshirt sophomore.

With Alabama losing multiple defensive linemen this offseason, Keeley will aim to provide valuable depth and experience.

Something that could play in Keeley’s advantage is the fact that he can play both defensive tackle and defensive end in Kane Wommack’s SWARM defense. He played a mix of both during his redshirt freshman season.

The Florida native has all of the tools to succeed at the college level. Defensive line coach Freddie Roach spoke about Keeley putting everything together and blocking out the noise toward the end of the 2024 season.

“Keon is still improving,” Roach said in Wednesday’s media availability. “The big thing is he’s gotta focus on being a better football player. I know he gets talked about a lot, but I told him don’t listen to it. He needs to focus on what it’s going to take for him to become a complete player.”

If Keeley can continue to improve this offseason, he will have a strong case to earn significant playing time during the 2025 season. It is up to Keeley if he sees the field or not moving forward. The coaching staff has the utmost belief that Keeley will put everything together and be a force along the defensive front next season.