Interview: Focus for 3-Star 2020 DE Lance Keneley is on Mission Viejo Championship Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The bright lights of three-star recruiting status and an offer sheet nearing 30 scholarships can be blinding to some, but not to Class of 2020 defensive end Lance Keneley. The Diablos are consistently one of California’s top football programs but have had the unfortunate task of meeting up with back-to-back national champs Mater Dei in the playoffs over the past two seasons. The focus for Keneley and the Diablos this season is to break through the colossal barrier that is Mater Dei with their own chance to claim a California and national championship.
Given how good the Diablos teams have been over the past two seasons, and being a senior, one can understand the focus Keneley has on ending his career in Orange County with a ring that has escaped the program instead of recruiting. Keneley began leading the charge by jumping onto the scene during his sophomore season with 39 tackles, six tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and two QB hurries showing promise. He backed that potential up a year ago with 57 tackles, 38 solo, 24 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, seven QB hurries, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick through 11 games.
Mission Viejo is undefeated (8-0) with an in-state MaxPreps No. 11 ranking storming through the South Coast League with tough games left against San Clemente and Tesoro. Their 6-5, 240-pound, end has tallied 32 tackles, 19 solo, with 13 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, six QB hurries, three forced recoveries, and a forced fumble sitting on the sidelines in the second half in many of the games in blowout wins. The programs that have offered will have to wait until the season is over. The goal for the student-athlete with a 4.7 cumulative GPA and a 30 scored on the ACT is hoisting the trophy in 2019.
In an RNG catch-up interview, I sat down for a great in-depth conversation with one of California’s top senior defenders.
Interview
Lance, from the outside perspective, the Diablos are looking really tough this season. What is the mindset of the team on the practice field and in-games this year?
“We are a hungry group of individuals. We have a lot of seniors, guys who have played together a long time. We have been together for the past couple of seasons. We have a great relationship and depend on each other. We play for each other. No one trying to get stats.”
The defense has been brutal allowing only 53 points in eight games played. What are you guys doing so well as a unit to hold teams down?
“All the credit goes to our defensive coordinator and to our position coaches. They have a really good grasp on our defense. They adjust calls to play to our strengths. We have adjusted run fits and bring the safety down against the run when needed. We swap things up depending on who we are playing, and that has worked well for us.”
What were the main parts of your game that you worked on over the summer before entering your senior campaign?
“Over the summer I worked on getting my strength up and playing at a new weight; I gained 20 pounds over the offseason. I am playing more physical this season using the weight to my advantage. I am using my speed rush and I am developing counters off that.”
Where are you showing the biggest improvements?
“The level of physicality that I play with is an improvement. I am bigger, stronger, and faster. I have converted speed to go with power. I am playing the run better. I am holding the edge and squeezing the gap.”
How are offenses scheming against you?
“Typically, in terms of what I see, a lot of times backs slide to me in pass protection, and Kenau on our side. We do not see a lot of run action. I get a tight end and an offensive tackle and (DT) Keanu Tanuvasa get the guard and center. We see stuff going to the other side trying to test them. When that does not work, then they go to the pass. They start throwing the ball because they don’t want to lose yards in the run game.”
Eight contests into the season, what do you feel are the overall strengths to your game?
“The thing that sets me apart the most is the use of my hands. I try my hardest to make my hands a strength. I use my hands without leveraging my head so I can see the play and react.”
Of the games played, which one has been your best so far?
“I would say Villa Park or Upland. Against Villa, they are a run-orientated team. But against us they threw and went no-huddle. During that game, I rushed hard. I worked well with Keanu. I had an impact on that game.
“Against Upland, it was the same kind of thing. Against St. Mary’s we figured out their play calls early. At the end of the first quarter, I went to the sidelines and said this means this and that means that. We had them for the rest of the quarter. Upland was a good test for us, they were big and physical. Their running back, No. 5 (Tyevin Ford), ran hard. For us, it was about being relentless and pursing to the ball. That game showed my level of effort, and the same for the entire team. We had seven or eight guys tackling one guy.”
You have a ton of offers. How many are you holding now?
“I am close to 30 offers.”
Keneley Reported Offers: Arizona State, Army, Boise State, Brown, Colorado, Colorado State, Duke, Fresno State, Hawaii, Harvard, Kansas State, Nevada, Northwestern, Oregon State, Pennsylvania, Rice, Stanford, Tulane, UCLA, Utah, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Washington, and Yale
Are there any schools showing Interest, or have they all offered?
“The only one showing interest is USC.”
Have you visited any programs lately on official or unofficial visits?
“No official visits taken yet. I took an unofficial to Washington in the spring. I have been quiet in terms of going places. I also visited Colorado and Utah over the offseason. I stayed more in the Pac-12, easiest to get to.”
How did the Washington trip turn out?
“The visit went really well.”
And the Colorado visit?
“They all went really well. I talked with Coach (Mel) Tucker, right as he had taken over the program. I heard his philosophy and heard the direction he wants to take the program.”
What about the Utah visit?
“It is always a pleasure to be around the Utah staff. We were coming back from Wyoming when we stopped by for the visit. We had lunch with their staff. That was fun.”
Going forward, what is the plan with recruiting visits?
“Right now, I have nothing scheduled. I am talking to a couple of schools, and they know that I am interested in them. Everything evolves as the season goes on with recruiting and getting your film out there. Right now, I am focused on being the best I can be for my team. When the season is over, I will narrow everything down. Then I will put the plan together.”
With so many offers, how are you or how will narrow down which schools might be best for you?
“In the recruiting process the things important are the player-coach relationship. I am comfortable with the coaching staffs I have been talking to for a long time. I am an academic student at heart, a good academic program will weigh into decision. The overall campus feel is important as well. Whether or not I can see myself there four to five years will be a factor. Where I will be happy the entire time I am in college?
Lance, always great catching up with you. I appreciate your time today and wish you and the team success going forward.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Keneley family; Lance Keneley at Washington