Interview: Unlimited Upside for 10-Offer 3-Star 2023 Alabama OL/DL Koby Keenum
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The game of football just clicks for some people naturally, and Koby Keenum is one of those guys. The 6-4, 285-pound, offensive and defensive lineman for Mars Hill Bible shinned on the offensive side of the ball during the 2020 season earning All-Area honors as the Panthers took home an Alabama state championship. Hidden within the postseason honors and the state championship trophy captured, the 2020 campaign for Keenum at weakside offensive tackle was his first… his first playing offensive tackle and his first football season ever.
Possessing the size, strength, quickness, and nasty streak needed to be a next level starter in the trenches, the three-star recruit has picked up 10 scholarship offers aided by showcasing his skills at college camps throughout the southeast.
Interview
Koby, the Panthers were a ground and pound team last year working to a 2A Alabama state championship. What was the philosophy of the offense?
Mainly being able to run it, and throw it. We had three really good backs and we’d go deep to Damian Thompson. The running backs were a huge part of our offense.
The coaches had you lining up at left and right tackle. From game to game, or snap to snap, how was it determined where you would line up, was that a weakside/strongside approach?
Yes. We ran a Wing T; I was at weakside tackle. Whatever the call was, I’d lineup on the weak side.
When you closed out your sophomore season on offense, what were the strengths to your game?
I felt like I had really good feet. My first steps are incredibly good, and I am fast. Staying low, engaging my hands, and my feet were really good.
You got snaps on defense as well. How did playing in the defensive trenches help you as an offensive lineman?
It got me into better shape playing both ways when I was getting subbed in. The more I played defense, it taught me a lot more. 2020 was my first season playing football. I learned more moves and technique to help my game, and got better at reading defenses.
To make sure I heard you correctly, the 2020 season was your first football season ever?
Yes, sir. In 2019, I had foot surgery. I was out for the regular season and came back in time for the playoffs. In the playoffs, I was subbed in at the end. I didn’t play much or start. This last year was my first full season. I didn’t play as a kid. I started in 2020.
Wow. Impressive.
Thank you.
What have you been working on with your blocking this offseason?
Good thing the dead period opened up because I got to work with these college coaches. They have helped me a lot and taught me a lot so I can be a better player. On my own, I work on my technique and footwork. I want the technique down. I don’t want to just run down out there, I want to execute the play to the best of my ability.
What have you been working on with your pass-pro this spring and summer?
In our offense, we don’t kick back. On my own I work with coaches one on one doing drills, holding a plate in my hand kicking back pushing the plate back. I work every other day, all the time working on kickbacks, and working on my run blocks. Since I am a rising junior, I want to help my team to the best of my ability.
What have you been doing in the weight room this offseason?
One of the lifts I really like is power clean. That helps build all around strength. I enjoy squats too. My max on squats is at 525 right now. I am working on certain lifts to help my punch like bench press and side raises for shoulder strength.
Your squat max is impressive, have you maxed out on any of your other basic lifts?
Yes, my power clean is 275 and my bench max is 325.
When you pick back up for the 2021 season, which roles are you taking on with the Panthers?
You will see me at almost every position on the line. We have a lot of younger guys this season. My coach wants me to be a leader this season. I may move to right tackle or right guard. I can play all the guard and tackle positions, but I will not line up at center.
What about on defense? Are you playing defense this year?
Yes, sir. You will see me at defensive tackle.
Are you also starting at defensive tackle?
Yes, sir.
This offseason, did you get to compete at any national camps?
I also play baseball, when a lot of those camps were happening, we were in the third and fourth round of the playoffs. I was invited to Rivals and all of them, but I didn’t want to let my team down by missing any of our games.
Understood. Did you get to compete at any college camps this summer?
Yes, sir. I went to Tennessee, Georgia, Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Louisville, and Kentucky. I went on a lot of visits.
At the Georgia camp, tell me about your overall performance.
I got a 27-inch vertical, my 5-10-5 was really good, and my broad jump was 8.5 or 8.6. I competed against some of the top guys like (5-Star 2023 DL) Peter Woods (AL). It was neat to work with him.
Very cool. At Clemson, how did you do during the one on ones?
They separated the groups by class. I started off with the juniors, and I was beating people left and right. After a while, they moved me up with the seniors; I dominated there as well. I had a really good camp at Clemson.
Are there any other camps you may compete at this summer?
I am not sure. Our high school football team is starting back up, chances are very low that I will go to another college camp. I missed all of June going to camps. To be the leader needed on my team, I don’t want to miss anymore football.
Makes sense. A minute ago, you mentioned taking a lot of visits, which schools did you visit?
Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, Kentucky, Alabama, UCF, Florida State, Penn State, and Louisville.
Keeping it in-state, how did the Alabama trip go?
It went well. I had a good camp and a good visit. It was really neat meeting the coaches, Coach (Doug) Marrone (OL) and Coach (Freddie) Roach (DL).
And the Auburn visit, how did that go?
It went really well. My family grew up Auburn fans. It was great to see the campus and talk to all the coaches. That was a neat experience.
Heading into the 2021 season, which programs are watching but have not offered yet?
Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Auburn.
How many offers have been given to you?
I have 10 offers.
Which programs were the last couple to offer you?
Florida State and Penn State.
Keenum’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Penn State, Southern Miss, Troy, UAB, UCF, and Virginia
Looking ahead to this fall, are there any upcoming visits you may take?
Yes, sir. I might go back to Penn State for the White Out game against Auburn. I have interest in both those teams. It would be great to see the White Out game in that stadium and that environment against Auburn. I want to visit Arkansas. I wasn’t able to get there in June. At some point I will definitely visit there.
Koby, thanks for taking time to update us today on your workouts and camps. Wishing you and the Panthers the best preparing for the upcoming season the rest of the summer.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Keenum family; Koby Keenum