UConn Transfer WR Keelan Marion Commits to BYU

On Wednesday, BYU added a talented wide receiver to its roster when former UConn standout Keelan Marion committed to BYU. Marion, who has three years of eligibility remaining, led the Huskies in receiving as a freshman in 2021. He missed the majority of the 2022 season after he suffered a collarbone injury in the season opener at Utah State.

Marion participated in Spring camp at UConn before he entered the transfer portal on April 20th. He received interest from various FBS programs once he was in the transfer portal including BYU and East Carolina. Marion took an official visit to ECU last week and ultimately committed to the Pirates. Fast forward to Tuesday and Marion backed off his ECU commitment after thinking through his options. Marion boarded a flight on the same day and arrived in Provo for a BYU visit. After his visit, Marion committed to BYU.

Marion was a sophomore at UConn last season. He suffered an injury against Utah State while catching a touchdown that kept him out for most of the season. In 2021 as a freshman, Marion led UConn in receiving. He racked up 474 yards on 28 catches including 5 touchdowns. Those numbers are more impressive in context - UConn struggled to find consistent production at quarterback that season. The Huskies played five different quarterbacks and threw for less than 2,000 yards. In total, Marion accounted for 24% of UConn's receiving production that season. For context, Puka Nacua led the Cougars in receiving in 2022 and he accounted for 19% of BYU's receiving production. Marion also occasionally returned punts and kicks for the Huskies.

YEAR 1 @HynesView pic.twitter.com/g0imCyuHLS
— Keelan Marion (@keelanmarion1) November 21, 2021

Marion is an intriguing addition to BYU's receiving core because he brings a unique skillset to the table. BYU has multiple big-bodied wide receivers in Chase Roberts, Keanu Hill, and Darius Lassiter. Marion, listed at 6'0, is a smaller wide receiver that is able to get open using his quickness and strength at the line of scrimmage. Despite his smaller frame, Marion has the ability to make contested catches in the redzone. His skillset will be complimentary to the other receivers in the room, and he has the talent to be in the wide receiver rotation right away.

Marion's commitment fills a major need on BYU's roster. The Cougars were down as many as three or four scholarship wide receivers coming out of Spring camp. Since then, the Cougars have added two transfer wide receivers in Darius Lassiter and Keelan Marion. The Cougars could still add another wide receiver if the right player becomes available, but the numbers today are in a much better spot than they were last month.

Stay tuned for more transfer portal updates in the coming weeks.

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