On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: North Carolina trending for Kaveion Keys

Richmond (Va.) Varina four-star linebacker Kaveion Keys is announcing his commitment on Aug. 29. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, North Carolina has a commanding lead for Keys’ pledge at 96.3%.

The Tar Heels are in strong position for the 6-foot-2, 190 pound prospect following a June 3 official visit. He also took an official visit three weeks later to Penn State.

Keys is the No. 314 overall prospect and No. 28 linebacker in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 5 player in Virginia. 

On3 rates him higher than other recruiting services, according to the Industry Comparison. Per the 2023 On300, Keys is the No. 180 overall prospect, No. 15 linebacker and No. 3 player in Virginia.

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How Keys’ commitment would impact North Carolina’s 2023 class

North Carolina’s 2023 recruiting class currently contains five four-stars, 11 three-stars and one unranked prospect. The group ranks No. 24 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 5 in the ACC.

If Keys commits to the Tar Heels, he would be the program’s third linebacker commit alongside Mableton (Ga.) Whitefield Academy three-star Caleb LaVallee and Manassas (Va.) Unity Reed’s Amare Campbell. Keys would also be North Carolina’s third pledge in less than a week alongside Campbell and Chesapeake (Va.) Western Branch three-star wide receiver Paul Billups.

Adding Keys would mark a significant victory for the Tar Heels’ efforts in Virginia, as well. The program currently has pledges from five Virginia players, including Billups, Campbell, Richmond (Va.) four-star defensive lineman Joel Starlings, Stafford (Va.) Colonial Forge three-star offensive tackle Nolan McConnell and Ashburn (Va.) Loudoun Valley three-star tight end Julien Randolph.

Keys has an On3 NIL Valuation of $11.7K. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Kaveion Keys On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Kaveion Keys:

“Twitchy, athletic linebacker with plus play speed. Employed as an off-ball linebacker, pass rusher and wide receiver for his high school, who he helped to its first state title in 2021. Has outstanding closing speed. A dynamic finisher behind the line of scrimmage, in large part due to his short area burst. Makes impressive plays in pursuit. Highly disruptive as a pass rusher and blitzer, finishing with 15 sacks as a junior.

“Shows off his speed and coordination at receiver, with the ability to make big plays – both vertically and after the catch. Size is unverified. Will need to continue progressing in terms of developing read and react skills as an off-ball linebacker. Younger for the class, not turning 17 years-old until August of his senior year.”