One of Ohio State’s top pass-rushing targets in the 2023 class has officially reopened his recruitment.
Five-star Florida defensive end Keon Keeley decommitted from Notre Dame on Wednesday and will instead seek a home elsewhere, likely either Alabama or Ohio State.
— 5 (@keon_keeley) August 18, 2022
Despite being committed to the Fighting Irish, Keeley took visits to both Alabama and Ohio State earlier this year. The 6-foot-6, 242-pound prospect visited Columbus for a spring practice on March 22, and visited Tuscaloosa on Jan. 29 and at the end of July.
Five-star 2023 defensive end and Notre Dame commit Keon Keeley (@keon_keeley) is visiting Ohio State today. and got to observe the Buckeyes practice this morning. pic.twitter.com/QJVM86dz6U
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) March 22, 2022
Although the Crimson Tide are the perceived favorite to land the talented edge rusher, Ohio State isn’t going to concede any time soon. In what may be a cruel twist of fate for Notre Dame fans, the Buckeyes are determined to get Keeley to make an official visit to Columbus for the Sept. 3 season opener against the Fighting Irish. OSU’s biggest peer recruiter in the 2023 class, Luke Montgomery, has already started a social media campaign.
Lets go bro @keon_keeley pic.twitter.com/ebQIZkI6i9
— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) August 18, 2022
Keeley is ranked as the seventh-best prospect and the top-rated edge rusher in 247Sports’ composite rankings for 2023. With his decommitment from Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish drop to No. 3 in the national recruiting rankings and only lead No. 4 Ohio State by 0.4 points.
It’ll be an uphill battle trying to keep Keeley away from playing for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. But Larry Johnson and Ohio State are going to take their best shot.
