2022 walk-on Tre Reader discusses Notre Dame, Keon Keeley: ‘The opportunity is just too hard to pass up’

Receiving a preferred walk-on spot on the Notre Dame football team would be a special moment for anyone. But for Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep linebacker Tre Reader, there are a few factors that make the opportunity even more exciting.

“At the end of it, there’s a lot to think about,” Reader said of his college decision. “But with my brother and Keon going there, and Notre Dame being this prestigious place, the opportunity is just too hard to pass up.”

Reader’s younger brother Troy is a 2023 Irish baseball commit. One of his best friends Keon Keeley is a five-star 2023 Irish football commit. It’s easy to understand why the offer meant a lot to Reader and why he ultimately made Notre Dame his college choice.

“It’s not every day you get to go to college with your brother,” Reader added.

The versatile senior visited Notre Dame in January just prior to making his final decision, but he was also on campus when the Irish hosted North Carolina on Oct. 30.

“That experience was just incredible,” Reader said. “It was a night game, they had the lights going on and off, and that atmosphere was absolutely insane. It’s something you don’t find everywhere in the country.”

While at Notre Dame in January, Reader had a chance to sit down with newly minted Irish head coach Marcus Freeman. The two had met once before, as Freeman went to Florida to visit Reader and Keeley before their state championship game in December.

“He’s such a great guy,” Reader said. “He’s someone I want to play for, and he reminds me a lot of my high school coach. He truly does care about each and every one of his players and everyone on his staff, and that’s the kind of guy I want to go play for. I want to do whatever I can to help him win a national championship. I’m all in.”

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Reader, Keeley might as well be brothers

Reader and Keeley have known each other for just three years, but they act like they’ve been best friends since Day 1.

“He’s over at my house every single weekend like an extension of my family,” Reader said. “I love that kid like a brother. He’s the best. We do everything together. We work out, we study for school. I’m excited to get to college and continue playing with him.”

After the latest round of updates to the On3 Consensus — a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies — Keeley is a new five-star prospect. He is the No. 1 EDGE, No. 3 player from Florida and No. 10 recruit nationally in the 2023 class. On3’s individual rankings have Keeley even higher, as he sits as the No. 4 overall player in the class.

Keeley’s stock recently rose due to a standout junior season last fall. It caught everyone’s eye, including Reader’s.

“I always knew he was going to be special, but after our spring game last May, watching how he played in that game, I remember saying all summer that this is the year Keon is going to really blow up,” Reader said. “He’s going to put his name on the map and go from just a highly recruited guy to a five-star prospect.

“Last year, you saw that happen. In the first game, he had three sacks, and then he had multiple games like that. I know he’s up there in our school’s record books for most sacks in school history. He may actually have the record.

“He had, what, 16 sacks this season? He’s an animal.”

The two are certainly best friends off the field, but Reader is very thankful he doesn’t have the five star chasing after him on the field.

“Since I play defense, I play with him,” Reader said with a laugh. “I’m really grateful to have him on my side of the ball.”