Tim Keenan breaks down big changes that led to breakout season

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Tim Keenan has started 10 of Alabama’s 11 games this season, stepping into a larger role after his first two years with the Crimson Tide. While he has dropped significant weight and has a better understanding of the defense, he attributed his faith to his rise.

“Just my commitment,” said Keenan on the biggest difference from last season to now. “First, I want to give glory to God because that’s the reason I’m here. I was committed to Him, I dedicated my outside life to Him, and football just kind of fell into place.”

Keenan has taken over the nose guard position on Alabama’s defensive line and is responsible for 32 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He has also tallied seven quarterback hurries and one pass breakup as the anchor of the Crimson Tide defensive front this season.

He was able to see his role increase after his weight decreased over the offseason. Weighing in at 343 pounds a season ago, Keenan is now listed at 6-foot-2, 315 pounds on UA’s roster.

“Just really stop being a baby,” said Keenan in what went his weight loss. “No food tastes good but sometimes, you can’t be eating past really like nine o’clock. So I just had commitment to myself and I wanted to prove to myself that I can overcome something and I can be someone that a lot of people see what I can be.”

Keenan is a redshirt sophomore on Alabama’s 2023 team, and even though this is his first year as a full-time contributor on the Tide’s defense, his older teammates look to him for advice.

“Tim Keenan is the guy I’m probably the proudest of on this team,” said center Seth McLaughlin. “Last year, he didn’t get a lot of playing time and was going through a lot of stuff, then he started showing leadership and he’s a devout Christian and he started coming into his own. 

“He’s been a huge piece of our defense this year. I love Tim Keenan. He’s one of the best people on the team to talk to. To see all of his hard work pay off, it’s been incredible.”

Added linebacker Chris Braswell, “Tim Keenan has been great this year. He’s grown a lot. He knows the plays. He’s physical. He’s a great leader and everybody wants to play around a guy like that.”

Earlier this season, Keenan was one of the first players UA head coach Nick Saban mentioned when he was discussing the leaders on the defensive side of the ball. It’s a new responsibility for the third-year defender, and he explained how he has tried to lead with his actions.

“It’s definitely been a blessing just to come in and have that type of impact,” Keenan said. “I really just try to show my teammates do as I do, not do as I say. So I don’t want to tell you anything that I wouldn’t do, so I try to be an example and just try to branch off of that.”

A native of Birmingham, Ala., Keenan grew up as a fan of the Crimson Tide, although the two Iron Bowl memories he mentioned were Alabama losses in 2010 and 2013. Playing in his first Alabama-Auburn game, Keenan is looking forward to facing a Tigers’ offense that likes to run the football – Auburn is third in the SEC in rushing offense (194.27 yards per game).

“Auburn is a good team,” Keenan said. “They have a plan they want to try to do. My job is to fill gaps and control the line. Of course, I love it, especially having that type of pressure on you because I was told pressure is a privilege.

“So having my teammates depend on me, having the coaches depend on me to fill that gap and really the whole defensive line in that aspect, means a lot.”

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