Sports

Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009

Tough enough

Brandon Keel has the height, weight and speed college recruiters are looking for

LYMAN — Harrison Central linebacker Brandon Keel never brags about his accolades.

The senior prefers to let his actions do the talking, whether it’s a bone-crushing tackle on an opposing running back or a wide receiver.

That formula has worked for Keel, considered one of the Coast’s top four linebackers. He has made 84 total tackles this season for the top-ranked Red Rebels (9-1, 5-1 Region 4-6A), who host Hancock on Friday at Earl Phillips Sr. Memorial Stadium.

“I just love the game and making tackles,” Keel said. “That’s what makes me a good linebacker.”

Head of the Class

The Coast has its strongest crop of linebackers in recent years.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Keel compares favorably with J.T. Dickson (Ocean Springs), Keith Barkley (Moss Point) and Boomer Scarborough (St. Stanislaus).

The All-South Mississippi quartet are in the running for The Sun Herald’s prestigous defensive player of the year award.

“Brandon Keel is the hard nosed kind of player that always gives 100 percent,” magnoliapreps.com Editor Lanny Mixon said. “He’s the kind of kid every coach wishes he had a dozen of.”

Harrison Central coach Ronnie Cuevas has high praise for Keel, who anchors the Red Rebels’ stellar linebacker corp with Jamie Dennis.

“Brandon does a great job,” Cuevas said. “His strongest suit is running. He’s a real fast player.”

A college prospect

Keel has attracted interest from several Division I schools and landed a scholarship offer from Army.

The Big 3 and Arkansas State are also keeping an eye on Keel, who’s already qualified academically. He has a 3.0 GPA and made 19 on the ACT.

“My dream is to play college football,” Keel said. “Some schools are just waiting to see how my shoulder holds up. My shoulder’s fine.”

Cuevas, who’s coached a few D-I players at Gulfport and Starkville, believes Keel can play at the next level.

“Brandon has what the colleges are looking for in a linebacker: the height, weight and speed,” Cuevas said.

Another viable option for Keel is to play two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and land a D-I offer. The Bulldogs (9-1) are ranked fifth nationally.

Starting out at SSC

Keel began his prep career at St. Stanislaus three years ago, seeing limited time as a freshman in 2006.

As a sophomore, Keel earned a starting role. He had 98 total tackles and over 500 yards rushing as a fullback.

“I did not get a chance to sit and learn,” Keel said. “But that really helped me become a better player.”

Family hardships eventually forced Keel to relocate and transfer to Harrison Central last year.

Keel overcame a shoulder injury to record 115 total tackles as a junior last year. He had shoulder surgery in the off-season.

Playing for the Rockachaws and Red Rebels were virtually the same experience for Keel.

“There’s not much difference between the two schools,” Keel said. “They both had a family-type feel for me.”

At Harrison Central, Keel credits his development to Red Rebels assistant coach Kevin Roberts.

“Coach Roberts taught me how to play the linebacker position,” Keel said. “When I was younger, I just ran free and tackled whoever had the ball. I learned how to read offensive linemen and learned which way the play went. That’s how I became a better linebacker.”

Before landing a scholarship, Keel wants to help lead Harrison Central’s drive toward a Class 6A state championship.