Former Kentucky transfer center Koby Keenum breaks down Mississippi State decision
Previous relationships are normally a major factor in the transfer portal scene and that was the case for former Kentucky transfer center Koby Keenum. On Sunday, Keenum announced his commitment to Mississippi State and became the 12th transfer addition for the Bulldogs.
Keenum officially visited Mississippi State on Friday and then took an official visit to Ole Miss on Saturday before making his final decision.
“It was just Coach (Jeff) Lebby and Coach (Cody) Kennedy, for sure,” explained the 6-foot-2 and 302-pound Keenum. “I’ve been building a relationship with Coach Kennedy for a couple of years now and like I said, he was at Arkansas and he was my first offer when he was Arkansas.”
During his visit, Keenum had the chance to get to know Lebby better as a person and as a coach. Along with Lebby, Keenum noted that the Bulldogs met the mark on what he was looking for on and off the field.
“Sitting down with Coach Lebby was huge for me during that visit,” Keenum added. “I got to learn his background history and what he’s done as a coach. He checked all those boxes I was looking for as a player. Then the strength staff, the sports science, nutritionist and all of those things, again, it checked all the boxes in what I was looking for. So I’m ready to get to work and looking forward to having a good season this year.”
Finding a center was a main priority for Mississippi State in the transfer portal this offseason, particularly after losing last year’s starting center in Ethan Miner. Keenum sees opportunity in Starkville and will have three years left to play.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity to go in and help their offensive line,” remarked Keenum, a Florence, Ala., native. “I am looking forward to doing big things with that group. I look forward to building relationships with those guys.”
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Another big factor for Keenum was already being familiar with Mississippi State’s program and campus. During his prep recruitment at Mars Hill (Ala.) Bible School, Keenum took numerous unofficial visits to Starkville and already had a good idea of the lay of the land.
“That really helped,” Keenum noted. “It helped a lot to not go in there blind. It was nice seeing what all they’ve remodeled there because in high school it was under construction. I had all of that in the back of my head of where everything is and how the weight room is set up. All of that was a good factor because I knew all of that. That way I could just go in there and talk business with Coach Kennedy and Coach Lebby and about what expect out of me and what they see in me.”
Keenum is the second transfer offensive lineman for State this month, joining former James Madison offensive tackle Jesse Ramil. With the holiday period approaching, Keenum can now enjoying a relaxing Christmas break while awaiting to arrive in Starkville in January.
“I’m honestly really glad,” mentioned Keenum. “Since I entered the transfer portal I had 45 schools calling me, wanting me to come out for a visit. That was very stressful being pulled around by all these places. But I knew deep down that Mississippi State is where I wanted to be and that was home.’
