Interview: Prolific 4-Star 2021 Mississippi QB Ty Keyes Covers Football and Recruiting

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Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

In the state of Mississippi, it would be tough to find a quarterback who has thrown for as many yards and in a more meaningful way than Ty Keyes. Keyes had a super sophomore season covering 3,736 yards with 39 touchdowns while rushing for 335 yards with four more scores off 47 totes. That work translated into a championship runner-up season for Taylorsville High School ending the year 15-1. The Tartars are back at it tearing apart the competition with their 6-1, 194-pound, dual-threat leading the way. Keyes has hit 155 of 222 passes this season for 2,996 yards putting 35 scores on the board and has rushed 24 times for 196 yards with two more trips into the end zone in an 11-1 campaign that is marching through the playoffs.

The four-star recruit has received eight scholarship offers thus far with a heavy emphasis from SEC programs. To cover his growing skills, the Tartars big season, and his recruiting opportunities, we sat down for an RNG exclusive.

Interview

Ty, when you want to get the pigskin to a receiver in a hurry you can. Has your arm strength come naturally, have you worked on that over time, and/or do you play another sport like baseball that has helped improve your throwing on the field?

“It has come mostly at practice, that is when we get our timing down. My arm strength is just natural. I used to play a little baseball.”

Looks like the Tartars are running a Spread offense. What are some of the routes you are throwing to within the set?

“We do curls, routes into the flats, fades, outs, slants, and RPOs (run-pass option) keying on the linebacker.”

What is your pre-snap ritual looking over the defense?

“Against Jackson Prep, they moved around a lot. I did well against them. I keep my head up to see where they are going and if they are moving. I look at the safeties, linebackers, and corners. I read the defense to see how they are playing us.”

How do you prepare for each game during the week?

“We go against our scout team and watch film. Right now, we are working towards Collins. We will watch a lot of film this week.”

In which ways are you seeing your talents grow as a quarterback this season?

“My game has grown as I have gotten faster, and I got some weight on me now. My timing with my receivers has improved and so has my leadership role.”

Which game this season has been your best personal performance?

“Bay Springs (won 42-6). Last year, I was hurt against them in the playoffs. I wanted to go hard in that game because I missed them in state. I had a chip on my shoulder in that game. I threw for a lot of yards and I had some rushing touchdowns.”

Turning to recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?

“West Virginia, Kentucky, Wake Forest, and Oklahoma State.”

How many offers do you have?

“Eight.”

Keyes’ Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Auburn, Louisiana, Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley State, Ole Miss, Nebraska, and Southern Miss

This fall, have you visited any programs?

“Yes, sir. I have visited Mississippi State.”

How did the State visit go?

“It went well. I went on the field pre-game and talked to Coach (Joe) Moorhead (HC). I also talked to their QB coach, Coach (Andrew) Breiner, in the locker room.”

Seeing their offense in-person, what did you think of it?

“Their offense is similar to our offense.”

Coming up, are you planning any other visits?

“I am going to Mississippi State this week for the Alabama game.”

Nice. Recruiting is a challenging process. For you, who will influence your recruiting process the most, friends or family?

“My mom and my dad. Last year, I was talking to my brother about recruiting. He told me to take it slow and to see how it plays out. He told me to give schools a chance to recruit me. I have a cousin who coaches at Southwest, we talk a lot about recruiting.”

In the process, when looking at a school, what is most important to you?

“Education and the people I will be around daily. The family feel at a school is very important. That will be my home, it has to have that family feel.”

Understood. Back to football. The offense is taking no prisoners posting 39 per game on average. What makes the Tartars offense so potent?

“Our offense is very explosive. We can run it, pass it, and we can mix it up. We have good running backs and receivers and our offensive line blocks well.”

The team is on a roll after topping Union 50-12 Friday night. How did the game go?

“In the first half, not so good. At halftime, we made no adjustments but our coach talked to us. We played better in the second half.”

Nothing like a good butt chewing to get a team’s attention. As mentioned, you get Collins in the playoffs. Of what you know now of them, what are you expecting in that game?

“I know they will come ready to play. We will have to be ready as well. We will have to play all four quarters.”

Ty, it was great learning more about you and your game today. Wishing you and the team success in the playoffs.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Keyes family; Ty Keyes at Mississippi State