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Longtime Penn State linebacker target Kaveion Keys opens up recruitment

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•12/08/22•

GregPickel

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Richmond, Va., four-star linebacker Kaveion Keys.

A longtime Penn State target in the Class of 2023 has reopened his recruitment less than two weeks before the early national signing day.

Richmond, Va., four-star linebacker Kaveion Keys announced Thursday that he is backing away from his pledge to North Carolina. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior committed to the Tar Heels back in August.

“First, I would like to thank the University of North Carolina, Coach Brown, and Coach Thig for having a great relationship with me and my family,” Keys wrote. “I also would like to thank all of the North Carolina fans who have supported me throughout my recruitment process.

“However, after countless hours of discussion, I feel like the best thing to do for my future is to decommit from the University of North Carolina and open my recruitment.”

Keys is an On3 Consensus four-star who ranks as the No. 323 overall prospect and No. 28 linebacker. He officially visited Penn State in June. The linebacker also took a 48-hour all-expenses-paid trip to North Carolina during that month. In September, he took one to Virginia Tech. The Tar Heels and Nittany Lions have hosted him most with three visits apiece, with Penn State most recently having him on campus for the White Out game in October.

“Just the tradition and culture,” Keys told BWI when asked what he liked most about his Penn State official visit. “They are dedicated and locked in to get the job done. That’s what makes it so special.”

Penn State Class of 2023 linebacker outlook

Penn State already has one of the best linebacker classes in the country. It includes four-stars Ta’Mere Robinson, who is from Pittsburgh, and Tony Rojas, who is from Virginia. A commitment from Keys would give the Lions three of the top 30 Class of 2023 linebackers in the On3 Consensus rankings.

That said, it’s unclear when Keys plans to pick the school of his choice. However, a decision seems likely before or on the day when the early signing period starts, which is Dec. 21. Penn State is currently trending to land the linebacker in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.

As for a scouting report on Keys, On3 writes:

“Twitchy, athletic linebacker with plus play speed. Employed as an off-ball linebacker, pass rusher and wide receiver for his high school, who he helped to its first state title in 2021. Has outstanding closing speed. A dynamic finisher behind the line of scrimmage, in large part due to his short area burst. Makes impressive plays in pursuit. Highly disruptive as a pass rusher and blitzer, finishing with 15 sacks as a junior.”

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