BREAKING | 2023 Four-Star DE Keon Keeley Commits to Notre Dame

2023 Berkeley Prep (Fla.) defensive end Keon Keeley‍ might have known a ton about Notre Dame before his three-day visit in June, but the trip also opened his eyes. 

The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder experienced everything he wanted in a school during the visit and probably even more. 

On Monday, Keeley became Notre Dame’s first commitment in the 2023 recruiting class as he went public his his pledge to the Fighting Irish. 

"I chose Notre Dame because it gave me the best opportunity to succeed on and off the field," Keeley told ISD. "Everything that comes with Notre Dame - the community, education and football culture is everything I could ever want and need.

"I feel Notre Dame allows me to succeed in every way possible on the football field and as a man off the field. I can become a better person by learning everything I need to succeed in every aspect of my life. Notre Dame will allow me to thrive." 

The four-star prospect knew Notre Dame was the right fit for him almost immediately, but he handled it in a mature fashion. 

Keeley waited a few weeks before making the call to the Notre Dame coaches as he didn't want to commit based off the high of emotion during and following a visit.

"When I went up on my visit, I was there for three days," explained Keeley. "The first day of my visit was amazing. I was there with the coaches for the whole day. It was such a long day, but it was such a great time. After the first day, it changed my mind a lot. I was really happy to be there and everything seemed like it was the right fit. 

"The next day, I went back and it was the same thing. The third day was shorter, but it was still the same. I didn't want to make a decision there because I didn't want it to be an emotional one. 

"I came back and thought it through with my mom and my coach. I decided that it was the right fit and decision. That visit really helped." 

It was easy for the Notre Dame staff to recruit Keeley as he's the ideal fit on and off the field. 

Mike Elston and Marcus Freeman made him a priority and it paid off with the early pledge. 

"Coach Elston was extremely excited," laughed Keeley. "I've been talking to him for a while and when I officially told him, we were excited, loud and yelling. It was really cool. I really love the coaching staff and I feel they believe in me. 

"I called Coach Freeman and Coach Bowden right after and they were excited. I also got to talk to Coach Kelly and he was extremely excited." 

Perhaps the most important phone call Keeley made was after he told the Notre Dame staff. 

One of Keeley's best friends, Troy Reader, also attends Berkeley Prep and is a 2023 Notre Dame baseball commit. 

Reader has been in Keeley's ear about the Irish even before Elston offered and the two friends were able to share a special moment last week.  

"Right after I got off the phone with the coaches, I called him in the middle of batting practice to tell him," said Keeley. "He stopped and talked for a couple of minutes. He was extremely happy. It was a lot of excitement and the next day we went to dinner. We just ate and talked, so it was really cool. That's my guy." 

Film Don’t Lie | DE Keon Keeley 

Offers: Arizona State, Central Florida, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Louisville, Miami, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Pitt, Rutgers, Virginia Tech and West Virginia 

Ranking
ISD: 91 (four-star)
247: 90 (four-star)
Rivals: N/R
ESPN: N/R

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