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What Alabama DL Tim Keenan said about bowl loss, his NFL draft decision

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby:Charlie Potter•12/31/24•

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Alabama DL Tim Keenan and Tim Smith
Alabama DL Tim Keenan and Tim Smith (Courtesy of UA Athletics)

TAMPA, Fla. – Alabama’s postgame locker room was about what you would expect.

But Crimson Tide defensive tackle Tim Keenan painted the somber picture shortly after the 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Tuesday at Raymond James Stadium.

“Pretty silent and sad, because this is people’s last game and everything and we didn’t get the job done,” Keenan said. “So it’s just a lot of things stacking on top of each other. But you take look back and say you’re proud of what we did do.”

A redshirt junior, Keenan has been one of Alabama’s top leaders on the defensive side of the ball this season. He said he spoke up after the postseason loss in Tampa but only briefly.

“As a veteran player, I said what I needed to say about the game and all I had to say,” Keenan said. “I don’t hold my tongue for nothing. But at a point like that, you feel me, no need to beat a dead horse. We already lost and whatnot. So just uplifting and encouraging.”

Keenan has played in all 13 of Alabama’s games this season and been a starter in 12 of them, including the ReliaQuest Bowl against the Wolverines. The nose guard has recorded 40 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup in his fourth year. His tackles, tackles for loss and sacks are both career-highs.

Keenan is one of Alabama’s players who will be facing an NFL decision now that the offseason has arrived. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft is Wednesday, January 15, but the Crimson Tide’s space-eater was not ready to reveal his plans for 2025.

“Not yet,” Keenan said. “Probably soon, I’ll make a decision, but not right now.”

Against Michigan, Keenan registered four tackles, including two solo stops, and one of the UA defense’s eight tackles for loss. Alabama’s defense was challenged early in the bowl game due to four turnovers by the offense (2 fumbles, 1 interception, 1 turnover on downs).

Despite falling into an early 16-0 hole in the first quarter, the Tide only gave up 43 yards in the first 15 minutes and limited the Wolverines to three field goals in four shortfield situations.

While not happy with the result, Keenan was pleased with Alabama’s defensive showing in the bowl game, both during the rocky start and holding UM to three points the rest of the way.

“We can’t always control the cards we’re dealt, but we’ve just gotta play the hand we’re dealt,” Keenan said. “And that’s what we did – just not controlling how we get on the field but how we get off (it). I’m proud of the defense for stepping up in certain situations, us getting a turnover and all the things like that.

“I’m proud of the way the defense played today.”

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