Interview: 4-Star 2021 Alabama DT/NG Tim Keenan Updates Recruiting and Previews Alabama Visit
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
If you have not seen game film of Class of 2021 defensive tackle/nose guard Tim Keenan, it is must-see high school football action. The 6-3, 300-pound, defender collapses pockets like a bulldozer rolling over an anthill wrapping up running backs and quarterbacks with a ribbon for his teammates. The Ramsay High School standout seemingly has unlimited potential, and college coaches are responding to his growing talents on the field.
Ramsay was one of the tougher 5A teams in the state of Alabama during the 2018 season with the tone being set up front on defense. The Rams were stingy allowing just 11 points per game on the way to an 11-2 year. With Keenan striking fear into the hearts of his opponents, he racked up 43 stops with 28 tackles for a loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, and even picked off a pass playing nose guard in the Rams’ 3-4 alignment. If that is not impressive enough, he also plays in the trenches on the other side of the ball, lines up at fullback and even handles punting and kicking duties.
Even though he is just a sophomore, the early scramble to forge a relationship with the four-star rated Birmingham product is already underway. Offers from Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, Louisville, Alabama-Birmingham, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech have been extended with visits taken to LSU and Auburn and an upcoming weekend trip to Tuscaloosa planned.
To learn more about Keenan’s dominating ways in the trenches, his recruiting process, and upcoming visits, we got together for an in-depth one-on-one covering a lot of ground.
Interview
Tim, your play at nose guard is exciting to watch. You get off on the snap and play with leverage and arm extension driving guards and centers back. What do you feel are some of the other strengths to your game down in the trenches?
“You never know what is coming. I can sense what is coming from the guards, if they are pulling. The center can’t do nothing with me except tell the offensive coordinator he can’t beat me. I will have him in the QB’s lap so my linebackers can make plays. I can play anywhere on the defensive line. If it is not broken, don’t fix it.”
What were some of the areas of your game that showed a lot of improvement in 2018?
“Locking out and locking up the center or guard when I am firing off. I did well at reestablishing the line of scrimmage and getting off the block.”
Was there a game that was challenging for you going up against quality offensive linemen?
“There wasn’t really a challenge, but (4-star QB) Bo Nix’s (Auburn) team, Pinson (Valley);I was beating their linemen but he was so good. Once they snap it, he has it off. When we got pressure, we got pressure. I got to hit him one time and he threw it away.”
How did playing against Bo Nix and Pinson make you better?
“I realized that he can read a defense, but I was picking up on his calls. I am like a middle linebacker, I scan their offense and I make calls. It works, sometimes it is risky. But, in that game he showed me the game from the snap is 1.3 seconds and you have to be back there. He showed me what college football QBs do, and how quickly they get the ball out.”
With the physical nature you bring to the field, do the opposing linemen ever get mouthy with you getting tired of your relentless attacks?
“No. They usually try to be my buddy. If I bulldoze them, they will say good job and high-five me. If they cut me, I let them know I don’t like that, and they start crying to refs. I don’t do anything dirty, but I let them know I need my knees for life, not just football.”
If there was one game of yours that fans and college coaches should see from your sophomore season, your best one, which should they watch?
“That is a hard one. I’d say I played well in all of them. The Pinson game and our first game against Minor I had an interception and against Pinson, I showed how I can be versatile. I played fullback, offensive line, defensive line and I was our punter and kicker. I am a 300-pound athlete.”
Wow. That is impressive. What are you working on this offseason with your game?
“This offseason I am working on implementing more moves. I can bull rush, but now I am working on hands to get them even more violent. I am also working on playing across the line to be more versatile. I am working on getting faster to run down the 4.4 and 4.5 running backs and quarterbacks.”
As mentioned, you play with great strength, what are some of your weight room maxes?
“My deadlift is 600 pounds. I am at about 380 on bench and my squat is about 445.”
Impressive again. Are you going to any national camps and/or combines this offseason to showcase your talents?
“I am going to an Adidas camp, a Nike Opening Regional, and an Under Armour All-American camp.”
Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but haven’t offered yet?
“Clemson and Tennessee are showing interest.”
How many offers do you have now?
“I have seven offers.”
Which schools have offered?
“Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, Louisville, Alabama-Birmingham, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech.”
Did you take any unofficial visits during the season?
“Yes. I toke a visit to LSU for their game against Alabama. That was the best experience of my life, or one of the best. The stadium, it was loud. That is the best stadium I have been to so far. Alabama’s stadium is good, Death Valley is a different story. I also went to Auburn for their game against LSU. I went to Clemson, that was my first visit. I went there for the Furman game. That was a great experience.”
Do you have any planned visits upcoming?
“Yes. I plan on visiting LSU on Feb. 16, Clemson March 2, and Alabama this Saturday.”
What are you doing on the Bama visit?
“It is a Junior Day visit. The coaches are also coming up to my school sometime this week.”
Done with recruiting. When you are not rolling up running backs and quarterbacks or in the weight room, what do you do away from football for fun?
“I help train my little brother so he can be way better than me. I work with kids, letting them know being smart is cool and being different is okay. Growing up, I was always different. I was always bigger than everyone. I also like riding ATVs and fishing.”
Do you play any other sports for Ramsay?
“Yes. I play baseball, basketball, and I wrestle.”
You do it all. Last question. What is your motivation on the field?
“The only reason I can do all of these things is because of Jesus Christ. He is the only reason I can perform the way that I do. I play for God, and perform with the benefits he has brought upon me. I play for my family, my brother, sister, and parents. They do a lot of for me, they sacrifice for me. I want to bless them the way they have blessed me. That is my motivation.”
Excellent. Tim, it was great learning more about your game today. I appreciate your time and wish you success on all your upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Keenan family; Tim Keenan at LSU and at Clemson with Todd Bates (DL)