Redshirt freshman Jordan Renaud seeing role increase on Alabama DL

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – It is not uncommon to open a social media app or an Alabama message board and see a question about Keon Keeley. The former 5-star prospect has only played in one of the Crimson Tide’s games this season after not seeing the field at all in 2023-24.

Keeley, a redshirt freshman, didn’t travel to Nashville for Alabama’s matchup with Vanderbilt but made the travel roster for its last road game at Tennessee. He hasn’t played a defensive snap since the season opener against Western Kentucky, but Keeley is “still improving” in Year 2 in Tuscaloosa, according to his new position coach, Freddie Roach.

“The big thing is – and I told Keon – I’ve had a lot of questions about him,” Roach said. “He’s just gotta focus on being a better football player. I understand that he’s talked about a lot, but to be honest with you, I told him don’t even listen to it. 

“He just needs to focus on what it’s gonna take for him to be a complete player to give him an opportunity to play, and that’s what it’s about.” 

Roach added, “He’s got three that play his position that are playing pretty good.”

Those three players are Jah-Marien Latham, LT Overton and another redshirt freshman, Jordan Renaud. Latham and Overton have played the lion’s share of the snaps at the Bandit position in Alabama’s defense, but Renaud has seen his workload increase in recent weeks.

Against South Carolina, Renaud played 12 snaps, per Pro Football Focus. It was the first game of his career with double-digit reps. He also tallied his first-ever sack in the 27-25 win over the Gamecocks. Two weeks later against Missouri, Renaud played 22 snaps and helped Alabama pitch a shutout against the Tigers, creating momentum before the final bye week.

Roach was quick to praise Renaud following the Crimson Tide’s Wednesday practice.

“Jordan’s matured a lot,” Roach said. “He came in with the right mindset. He went through spring, understood the system, and as the season goes, you see him playing more reps. He actually went in the game and had a sack, has had some pressures, done really good on the runs. Jordan’s a really good player, and he’ll continue to improve.”

The 6-foot-4, 268-pound redshirt freshman came to Alabama as the nation’s No. 71 recruit in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. Renaud added seven pounds to his frame since enrolling at UA, and his progress excites the Tide’s coaching staff.

“There’s a number of young guys that I’m excited about, but that’s certainly one to point towards,” said Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. 

“I think Jordan is continuing to grow in our defense and in understanding what to do. We talk about those things, right? Knowing when to take chances, when to take risks, all that goes on on the back end, that goes up front. And then just doing your job at a more consistent level than maybe he was at the beginning of the season. 

“I mean, credit him. You’ve got two players in Jah-Marien Latham and LT Overton that are playing good football right now. So for him to elevate his game to be in the conversation and for us to have to find ways to get him on the field, I think speaks to who he is and the work that he’s put in. But also, I think dude’s got a really bright future.”

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