SEC Programs Have the Attention of 2021 DL Tim Keenan
Tim Keenan is planning the final offseason of his prep football career while searching for his college destination.
The Birmingham (Ala.) Ramsay defensive lineman, one of the most coveted college football prospects in the state, continues to add scholarship offers as his senior season approaches.
Oregon and Eastern Kentucky shared the good news with the 6-foot-2, 335-pound prospect over the weekend. He'll look to eventually take visits coast to coast but the programs a bit closer to home in the SEC have consistently recruited him over his time in high school.
"I'm definitely going to hit Florida on March 7," Keenan told SI All-American. "This will be my first time going. Coach (David) Turner definitely wants me to get down there real bad. It's a childhood dream, you know, being from Alabama and getting a Florida offer is big because they don't really have to recruit out of the state.
"They've been pass-rush U. They always have great pass rushers, D-ends, linebackers and 3-techs."
LSU will get a spring trip out of the massive Alabamian and the Tigers could be considered the team to beat at this stage of the recruiting game.
"They're at the top of the list if I had a list," he said. "It's always a good vibe down there. Every time I walk into the stadium I feel jitters...
"It's a family-oriented place. I talk to LSU the most."
One of the unique angles the national champions take in courting Keenan is the primary point of contact isn't solely the area recruiter or even position coach.
The Tigers use none other than Ed Orgeron and represent the program whose head coach is personally recruiting the rising-senior the most.
"He hits me up the most, we talk a lot," he said. "Coach O is just a fun guy. He's genuine and it's always 'Go Tigers,' baby."
The in-state Crimson Tide has always been linked to the interior defender and its new staff addition only increases the programs' chances of keeping him within state lines.
"'Bama has had some coaching changes but me and Coach (Freddie) Roach go back to youth camp," he said. "I like Coach Roach a lot and I would like to play for him. I text him every day, we have good communication skills and a good bond."
The staff at SEC East power Georgia also resonates with Keenan following multiple trips to Athens.
"Georgia has the young coaches that are aggressive," he said. "Coach (Tray) Scott always having his players hanging around him, that's big to me. At the junior day, big Jordan Davis was just around his coach -- for you to be around him like a big brother or mentor just spoke out to me without being said."
With scholarship offers from the aforementioned programs and others being added to the list ahead of spring football, Keenan says he is in no rush to make a verbal commitment. At this point he is leaning towards signing during the traditional period beginning February 3, 2021.
"This time next year, February," he added. "I don't want to jump into it too fast, I want to use the time they give you. If you make the decision early, they can always have changes and things and you can't go back. They usually have changes in December and January so in February you can make a decision."
In searching for the right fit the recruiting process will help him focus on much more than football.
"Pray. God," he said. "I've got to pray on it. First, to become a better student, football player and find out what they can do for me.
"Besides football I want to be an actor...that's a big factor right there."
In addition to football, following up a prep career in baseball as a power pitcher and strong academics -- Keenan says his dream is to one day star in a romantic comedy.
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