The writing has been on the wall for months.
On Monday, longtime Ohio State target and five-star 2023 defensive end Keon Keeley committed to Alabama.
COMMITTED
— 5 (@keon_keeley) December 12, 2022
Thank you to my Mom, and my amazing Berkeley Family!@BPS_Football @CoachHutzler @AlabamaFTBL @BAMACoachG @Hayesfawcett3 @BerkeleyPrep pic.twitter.com/DqmXMaHfKa
The Buckeyes and Crimson Tide both were in hot pursuit of the elite Florida prospect since he decommitted from Notre Dame in mid-August, with both having momentum swings in their favor over the course of the recruitment.
In September, Keeley visited OSU twice: Once for the season opener against Notre Dame and the other visit coming during the Wisconsin game. Keeley was impressed by what he saw on both visits, but the momentum shifted back to Alabama in October after he took a visit to Tuscaloosa. Though OSU visited Keeley several times since then, momentum never left the Crimson Tide's side for the remainder of the process.
With OSU striking out on Keeley, the Buckeyes remain invested in trying to land either of the two five-star defensive ends remaining on their recruiting board, Damon Wilson and Matayo Uiagalelei. Both players are expected to announce their decisions on Dec. 21, the start of the Early Signing Period.
OSU is also the likely favorite to land four-star Indiana defensive end Joshua Mickens, who decommitted from LSU the Monday after he took an official visit to OSU for the Michigan game.
