Name: Trevor Keegan
Height: 6’6″
Weight: 305 lbs.
High school: Crystal Lake (IL) Crystal Lake
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Redshirt junior
Jersey number: #77
Last year: I ranked Keegan #25 and said he would be the starting left guard (LINK). He started eleven games at left guard.
TTB Rating: 81
Keegan, a highly rated offensive tackle recruit, really came on in 2021. After being a part-time player as a redshirt freshman in 2020, he solidified the left guard position, winning it from then fifth year senior Chuck Filiaga. (Filiaga has since transferred to Minnesota for a sixth year.) Keegan was listed at 324 pounds last season and he was a powerful blocker, good enough to be named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media.
This year Keegan has dropped 19 pounds, presumably to be a little more mobile. There hasn't been any talk of players pushing him to start, so I think he has the left guard job pinned down for a second year. I think some of the all-conference awards are more career achievement awards when it comes to linemen, so since he was honorable mention last season, he could very well be a Second Team or even First Team All-Big Ten selection this season if the Wolverines have success on offense.
Prediction: Starting left guard
Yes! Only 17 more days to go until college football starts. I don't feel like I can wait more than another day or two!
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping this going Thunder I hope season/school prep is going well.
Lank, I’m very happy to make the gentle correction that there are only 9 days left before football begins, at least in earnest.
DeleteWe got spoiled with the Ruiz-Bredeson-Onwenu interior OL, and this one might be even better.
—Joby
Nebraska - NW tomorrow!
DeleteIndeed. I'm excited for it. The above was joking around - lightly poking at Thunder who usually tries to align the "countdown" of players with days till Michigan's first game. I always think it should start earlier and leave a week for more general preview stuff but I think Thunder wants to have room to make late adjustments based on camp developments. Thunder is relatively "behind" this year, presumably due to you know - doing life stuff. Late summer is a busy time for anyone affected by school calendars.
Delete@Joby
DeleteMichigan has had some great interior trios in the past. That 2019 group might be the most talented of all. 2022's will have the advantage of a few more years of experience in the group though.
This is where I shout out the 2000 OL - Jonathan Goodwin, Steve Hutchinson and David Brandt at center were the interior guys. Hutchinson was a NFL HOFer, Goodwin a Pro-Bowler with over 120 career starts. Brandt was also an NFL guy albeit only for 16 games total over a few years.
The crazy thing about the starting 2000 OL -- 4 of the 5 started in the NFL in 2001 as rookies (including tackles Jeff Backus and Mo Williams). The only one that didn't was Goodwin - because he returned to Michigan. All 5 OL started in the NFL within a few years.
The skill position guys weren't quite as impressive but also ended up starting in the NFL (Thomas, Askew, Terrell, Walker). The one starter who didn't (Bennie Joppru) was a college All American and 2nd round pick.
Drew Henson gets a ton of praise in some circles but it's worth remembering that 9 or 10 guys starting beside him in 2000 started in the NFL. Funny thing to consider that Henson had probably the least impressive pro football career (9 games, 1 start) on that team.
Of course, the big flashing asterisk is he's one of a handful of people to ever play in MLB as well as NFL but he didn't do much in either (8 games and 9 ABs in MLB).
Anyways that 2000 offense had preposterous talent. Similar to what you see on Alabama and OSU today. I'm a huge fan of Lloyd Carr but it has to be acknowledged that he failed to maintain that level as the years went on. Part of that was being very conservative and unimaginative with the offense while a revolution was taking place - evident at places like Northwestern, West Virginia, and Texas Tech. Even Saban evolved eventually. But the bigger part might have been letting the OL depth and talent drop off.
That interior line of Zinter/Keegan/Oluwatimi should be pretty special. Keegan is a stud and even played hurt last year against MSU when his replacement couldn't quite get the job done. Would not be surprised if he moves on to the NFL after this season.
ReplyDeleteBig dude. Strong & tough. 1st team all conference? Maybe!
ReplyDeleteHe's good enough but with OSU, Wisconsin in the league and a few other strong OLs (e.g. Iowa) the competition will be stiff.
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