Even though the five-star freshman didn’t set foot on the field during a game last season, there was no question Keon Keeley was sticking around for a second year with Alabama football.

“I know what I signed up for at the University of Alabama,” Keeley told AL.com ahead of the Crimson Tide’s Rose Bowl appearance. “I saw that and I fell in love with it and I know that they’ll be able to develop me to my best potential.”

Keeley wasn’t deterred when Nick Saban retired as Alabama’s head coach in January. Despite a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal, he remained with the Crimson Tide as new head coach Kalen DeBoer took over.

When spring football rolled around, there was even more change for Keeley. After coming in as an outside linebacker for the Tide, looking to fill the shoes of Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell in the near future, the Florida native was with the defensive line.

“When you look at Keon, you see his frame and how he’s developed,” new Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said at the time. ”He’s got a frame that’s going to grow more into that Bandit role for us. That Bandit position can play a 9-technique, a 5-technique, can reduce down and play a 4i at times. I think as you see what Keon is developing into and may develop into at the next level, that’s more of a better fit for him.”

Come preseason camp, which began Wednesday, and there was an even-more obvious change in Keeley. Listed at 242 pounds last season, the 6-foot-5 Keeley is now at 277 pounds, according to UA’s online roster.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Wommack said the weight gain will benefit Keeley going forward.

“Keon has a very special skillset,” Wommack said. “He’s very strong at the point of attack. He’s very twitchy to be that big. We made that transition from him being an outside linebacker, which when you see his frame at this level and the next level, he most certainly is going to be more of that rush defensive end.”

During practice periods where media members were allowed to observe, Keeley seemed to be getting extra instruction at times from DL coach Freddie Roach. After Tuesday’s practice, Roach was asked how the position change process has been going for the youngster.

“It’s been good,” Roach said. “And I think that’s exactly what it is, it’s a process. Like I told him, ‘You just focus on what it’s going to take you to be successful, alright?’ And at that point it’s his eyes, his hand placement, his footwork, ‘What do I have on assignments?’ And that’s every guy in the room, not just Keon.”

Wommack praised how much Keeley had improved from spring football into preseason camp. He and Roach both said there was a ways to go in the process, but both were optimistic.

“We’ll still drop those guys from time to time, but at the same time, he’s been really impressive with just being able to put his hand in the dirt, something that he hasn’t really done much,” Wommack said. “I think he has taken to that role, and he’s learning a ton right now.”

Alabama opens the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against Western Kentucky in Tuscaloosa. The Tide will return to the practice field on Wednesday.