Offseason Intel Reveals Alabama Found Absolute Steal in Kam Dewberry While Keon Keeley Is Poised to Contribute in 2025
In Tuscaloosa, where national championships are a standard and offseason whispers carry the weight of postseason implications, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2025 football narrative is starting to sharpen. Even without legendary coach Nick Saban at the helm, the program remains a magnet for elite talent and a machine of development. This offseason, two names have stirred serious buzz within program circles: Kam Dewberry and Keon Keeley.
Both players have yet to dominate headlines the way Tide stars traditionally do in the fall, but the coaching staff and internal evaluators are singing a different tune behind closed doors. According to multiple offseason sources close to the program, Alabama believes it found an “absolute steal” in former Texas A&M offensive lineman Kam Dewberry, while highly touted pass rusher Keon Keeley is quietly preparing for a breakout campaign in 2025.
Kam Dewberry: From College Station to Crimson Steal
When Dewberry transferred from Texas A&M to Alabama, the national chatter surrounding the move was relatively muted. Most analysts saw it as a depth piece—a solid addition to a crowded offensive line room. But inside the Mal Moore Athletic Complex, the narrative is dramatically different.
“He’s not just going to compete for a starting job. He’s going to anchor this line,” one Alabama staffer said. “We got an absolute steal.”
Dewberry, listed at 6-foot-4 and over 330 pounds, was a consensus four-star recruit coming out of Atascocita High School in Texas and a top-100 player nationally. At Texas A&M, he earned playing time in the brutal SEC West, showcasing his blend of brute power and nimble feet. But after coaching turnover and inconsistent offensive line play in College Station, Dewberry decided to enter the portal.
Alabama was quick to pounce.
“There’s something about the way he finishes blocks and his ability to reset his hips on the move. He’s got some Evan Neal in him,” an SEC offensive line coach noted. “He just needed the right structure. Alabama gives him that.”
Dewberry is expected to slot in as a starting guard, but he’s also been taking reps at right tackle during summer workouts, giving the Tide flexibility with their protection schemes. That versatility could be vital for a young quarterback room still looking for consistency.
His emergence also comes at a perfect time, as Alabama transitions into a new era with Kalen DeBoer’s system. DeBoer’s offensive lines at Washington were disciplined and mobile—Dewberry, with his size and agility, may be the prototype for what Alabama plans moving forward.
Keon Keeley: The Next Edge Nightmare
Keon Keeley’s arrival at Alabama in 2023 came with sky-high expectations. The five-star EDGE prospect from Tampa’s Berkeley Prep was one of the jewels of the recruiting class. A 6-foot-6 pass-rushing phenom with a basketball background and an elite wingspan, Keeley drew comparisons to Will Anderson Jr. from the moment he signed.
But patience has been key.
Keeley has been brought along gradually by the Alabama coaching staff, focusing on adding strength, refining his hand technique, and learning the nuances of playing in a hybrid front. After redshirting his freshman year and contributing in limited spurts in 2024, he’s now poised to take on a much larger role.
“We’ve been patient with Keon because we believe he’s going to be special,” a team source said. “You can’t teach his physical traits, but now he’s pairing them with a better understanding of the game.”
During spring practices, Keeley was among the most disruptive players on the field. He routinely blew up run plays and flashed advanced pass-rush moves that had offensive linemen guessing. His explosiveness off the edge remains his most lethal weapon, but it’s his improved play recognition that has coaches excited.
“He’s no longer just trying to win with his first step. He’s playing with control and anticipation,” said defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. “That’s the difference between a talented player and a great one.”
Keeley’s emergence comes at a vital juncture for Alabama’s defense. With Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell off to the NFL, there’s a pressing need for new impact players off the edge. Keeley, along with fellow young pass rusher Qua Russaw, is expected to fill that void in 2025.
“If he puts it all together, he’s going to be a household name by October,” an NFL scout who attended Alabama’s spring scrimmage said. “He looks like the next first-rounder.”
DeBoer’s Developmental Vision
One of the under-discussed storylines of Alabama’s 2025 outlook is how new head coach Kalen DeBoer has blended his West Coast developmental approach with the SEC’s physical demands. While DeBoer inherits a roster built by Nick Saban’s high-level recruiting, his emphasis on tailored player development could be the key to unlocking elite performances from guys like Dewberry and Keeley.
Rather than overloading young players, the Alabama staff under DeBoer has installed a more flexible, position-specific progression system. It’s helped Dewberry get up to speed faster while enabling players like Keeley to grow into their roles without the pressure of immediate stardom.
“There’s a very intentional process behind how we bring guys along,” one assistant said. “We don’t want them to just play—we want them to dominate when they do.”
Chemistry and Culture Reset
Both Dewberry and Keeley are also credited for their off-the-field impact.
Dewberry, despite being a newcomer, has quickly emerged as a vocal leader in offensive line meetings. His SEC experience and willingness to mentor younger linemen have been key during offseason workouts.
Keeley, meanwhile, is praised for his work ethic and consistency.
“Keon shows up every day with a mindset to improve,” said strength coach David Ballou. “He’s a quiet killer. Doesn’t say much, but he’s always locked in.”
This kind of leadership and discipline is exactly what Alabama needs as it redefines its identity post-Saban. And while DeBoer has kept many elements of the Saban blueprint—attention to detail, competition at every position—there’s also a renewed emphasis on camaraderie and ownership.
The Bigger Picture
If Alabama is going to return to the College Football Playoff in 2025, it will need stars to emerge from the shadows. The foundation is there—returning talent, strong recruiting classes, and now a more progressive coaching philosophy.
Dewberry and Keeley may represent different sides of the ball, but they’re emblematic of the same larger trend: high-ceiling players finding their moment.
For Dewberry, it’s about redemption and realizing his potential in a program that thrives on maximizing trench warfare. For Keeley, it’s about patience paying off and the dawning of what could be a superstar career.
Together, they could become cornerstones in Alabama’s new era.
The word around the program is clear: if the offensive line thrives and the pass rush clicks, Alabama won’t just be good—they’ll be feared again. And both Dewberry and Keeley are central to making that happen.
As one coach put it: “They don’t even realize yet how good they’re going to be. But we do.”
