Alabama fans have been wondering about third-year defensive lineman Keon Keeley for quite some time. Ever since the former five-star, top-10 recruit arrived on campus prior to the 2023 season, there’s been hope that he can find a way onto the field and contribute.

Of course, that didn’t happen at all in 2023. In 2024, the former Berkeley Prep (Tampa, Fla.) standout did earn 24 snaps on defense, including a handful of meaningful reps against both Auburn and Michigan, but he still hasn’t become the impact player that many had hoped for when he was coming out of high school.

Will that change in 2025? Well, he seems to be trending in the right direction, but according to Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, Keeley has to become more consistent if he wants to move his way up the depth chart and assume a larger role on defense.

“Yeah, Keon is obviously just a frame that is athletic and can move around. He’s got to become more and more consistent in the things that he’s doing,” Wommack told reporters this past Wednesday. “He’s taking some strides, but there’s a little bit of him back-and-forth on some of those things as well in fall camp. And so as we push these guys, he’s got to show a little bit more consistency to continue to move up the depth chart. But the skill level is there, the want-to is there. It’s just gonna be about continuing to kind of take that next step.”

Keeley isn’t the only one in that boat though.

Kelby Collins is now entering his third season on the college level after spending his first two seasons playing under Billy Napier at Florida. He’s a guy who’s seen quite a bit of action in the SEC, as he’s played 333 snaps in two years, but a large majority of those (274) came in his freshman season back in 2023.

He’s a guy we originally thought would be a versatile inside-out piece in Alabama’s defense, but from what we’ve seen, he’s only been playing inside. Granted, that could change, but I’m moreso viewing him as a defensive tackle-only until we’re given reason to believe otherwise. The Crimson Tide desperately needs more depth there, so having Collins could be vital in 2025, but similar to Keeley, Wommack wants to see more consistency from him.

“Yeah, Kelby’s doing a nice job just continuing to work and put himself in position,” Wommack said. “He’s another one that just from a consistency piece, he’s got to continue to raise the standard day in and day out of his level of consistent execution. But he’s trying, he’s working, and I think he’s in position to kind of fight and battle there.”

We really like what Alabama has at the top of its defensive line depth chart. Whether you’re talking about LT Overton and Jordan Renaud at Bandit or the projected top four interior guys in Tim Keenan III, James Smith, Jeremiah Beaman and Edric Hill. That’s a collection of talent that could help Alabama get back to the College Football Playoff, but more needs to be established behind those guys.

We’ve obviously heard great things about the progress of true freshman London Simmons, who could end up contributing on the interior, but Keeley and Collins bring rare abilities to the table. If Wommack and company can trust their ability to do their jobs consistently, that’s going to take the depth and rotation upfront to another level. And then you could even start talking about having the ability to withstand injuries, if needed.

That’d be massive.