Alabama Defensive Lineman Enters Transfer Portal

Alabama redshirt sophomore defensive end Keon Keeley is entering the transfer portal according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

The former 5-star recruit in the Class of 2023 appeared in 19 games over the last two seasons after redshirting as a true freshman. Keeley tallied 19 tackles with three sacks, one pass broken up, and a blocked punt, with most of his production coming on the back half of the 2025 season.

NEWS: Alabama defensive end Keon Keeley tells ESPN that he’s entering the NCAA transfer portal. He’s the former No. 1 defensive end from the class of 2023 and ESPN’s No. 12 overall recruit that year. pic.twitter.com/BmyTmgZKN4
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 4, 2026

The 6-foot-5, 282 pound athlete started his career in the Nick Saban defense as an outside backer, but was moved to Bandit under Kane Wommack. His loss creates a big opening at Bandit next season as he, along with Jordan Renaud and Kelby Collins, filled in for LT Overton throughout the 2025 season. Overton is out of eligibility and will try his hand at the NFL, Renaud and Collins have yet to announce their intentions for 2025.

Keeley was a top 10 recruit in the 2023 class and the consensus edge rusher in the class, but classmate Yhonzae Pierre is the edge rusher who's emerged, playing Wolf in Wommack's 4-2-5 Swarm D system. Keeley flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to Alabama and settled on the Crimson Tide over the Fighting Irish, the Florida Gators and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

“He just has done a good job of just being patient," Kalen DeBoer said of Keely in October. "But there's just things that, there's reasons that have kept him from getting on the football field that he just continues to work on. And he's got potential to do some amazing things for us, and working him into different packages this last week, I really liked the growth there. He's been involved in special teams a little bit more in the past few weeks, as well. So, just continue to build each week, and as he gets more and more comfortable, I can see that impact being greater and greater. And so, I'm really proud of who, he's just a great kid in general. That's what makes it fun being on the football field with him. That's what makes you wanna pour everything you got into him and help his growth. And then, he's humble and obviously can make some plays. So, I'm looking to see more and more of him in the weeks ahead.”

His departure leaves Jordan Renaud, Kelby Collins, Fatutoa Henry, incoming freshman Nolan Wilson, Kamhariyan Johnson and Malique Franklin as the Bandit position for the 2026 season.

Keeley becomes the 13th Alabama player to enter the transfer portal, following wide receiver Aeryn "Bubba" Hampton, defensive back Kameron Howard, offensive lineman Roq Montgomery, running back Richard Young, wide receiver Jalen Hale, wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe, offensive lineman Olaus Alinen, offensive lineman Joseph Ionata, linebacker Noah Carter, offensive lineman Micah DeBose and wide receiver Cole Adams, and offensive lineman Wilkin Formby.

The transfer portal officially opened on Friday, Jan. 2 and closes on Jan. 16. The spring portal was eliminated in September and will no longer be an option for athletes.

Keeley will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.