The Smile that Survived the Storm

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Ja'Quan Keys is known for his smile. The first thing you end up noticing about the Indiana State running back is that his beam inevitably lights up any room he enters. And it might be one of the most remarkable things about the young man considering the storms he has weathered to reach the starting tailback position in his senior year.

Originally from Louisiana, Keys initially was raised outside the town of Hammond. Located just 45 miles north-northwest of New Orleans, it is home to just over 20,000 people and to Southeastern Louisiana University, a school similar in size to Indiana State. But despite the state producing more football players in the NFL per capita than…