Alabama fans waited patiently for Keon Keeley to live up to the promise that made him a former 5-star recruit and one of the top overall players in the 2023 recruiting class. After taking a redshirt during his first season in Tuscaloosa, Keeley changed positions from outside linebacker to Bandit in a new defensive scheme upon Nick Saban's retirement.
After a transition year in 2024, Keeley began to breakout in 2025 as a rotational piece on the Crimson Tide's defensive line. Keeley finished his redshirt sophomore season with 13 total tackles and three sacks. He recorded a sack in Alabama's win over Oklahoma in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, seeing extensive snaps with LT Overton out with an injury.