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Top Penn State target Kaveion Keys announces decision date

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•12/15/22•

GregPickel

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

Penn State football will learn whether or not it will land a top Class of 2023 recruiting target on Friday. Richmond, Va., Varina linebacker Kaveion Keys has announced that he will make his choice at 8:30 a.m. ET tomorrow inside of his high school’s auditorium.

Keys was previously committed to North Carolina. He made that decision in August. But, he backed away from his pledge earlier this month. The Lions stayed in touch with the 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect throughout the fall despite his commitment to the Tar Heels. That communication paid off, first via an unofficial visit Keys took to see the Lions beat Minnesota in the White Out game. Then, it helped Penn State surge to the lead in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine once the defender reopened his recruitment.

BWI recruiting insiders Sean Fitz and Ryan Snyder have both logged predictions for the Lions to land Keys. Virginia Tech, which he officially visited last weekend, will also have a hat on the table. North Carolina might, as well. But, this is Penn State’s battle to lose heading into decision day.

Besides the fall unofficial, Keys was also on campus for an official visit to Penn State back in June. He only took 48-hour all-expenses-paid trips to see the Lions, Tar Heels, and the Hokies during a recruitment that saw the nation’s No. 277 player overall and No. 24 linebacker, according to the On3 Consensus rankings, net more than 20 offers.

Blue-White Illustrated will have complete coverage of Friday’s announcement.

What Keys’ commitment will mean to Penn State

Penn State already has two linebacker commitments in the Class of 2023. Both players, Virginia’s Tony Rojas and Pittsburgh Ta’Mere Robinson, are four-stars in the On3 Consensus rankings. Keys would be the third and would close out a massive haul for defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Manny Diaz.

Here is On3’s scouting report on Keys. On3 ranks him as the No. 177 player overall and No. 15 linebacker.

“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. 

“Shows off his speed and coordination at receiver, with the ability to make big plays – both vertically and after the catch. Size is unverified. Will need to continue progressing in terms of developing read and react skills as an off-ball linebacker. Younger for the class, not turning 17 years-old until August of his senior year.”

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