John Keenoy
John Keenoy (born February 26, 1997) is an American football center who is a free agent. He played college football at Western Michigan.
Free agent | |||||||
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Position: | Center | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | Grand Rapids, Michigan | February 26, 1997||||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 305 lb (138 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | East Kentwood (Kentwood, Michigan) | ||||||
College: | Western Michigan | ||||||
Undrafted: | 2019 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
Career NFL statistics as of 2019 | |||||||
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High school career
Keenoy attended East Kentwood High School, where he was a three-star prospect.[1] He did not have many college offers coming out of high school and was recruited to Western Michigan by P. J. Fleck.[2]
College career
Keenoy was an early enrollee at Western Michigan as a freshman and allowed 25 pressures and four sacks in 2015.[1] Keenoy was named to the Second Team All-MAC as a sophomore in 2016 after helping Western Michigan's rushing game to finish in the top 25.[3] Keenoy anchored an offensive line on a team that finished with a 13–1 record and a No. 15 national ranking and played in the Cotton Bowl.[1] He missed one start in 2017 against Wagner. He was a First Team All-MAC selection in 2017 and helped the Broncos to finished in the top 25 in rushing again.[3] Keenoy had his second consecutive season of not allowing a sack. As a senior in 2018, Keenoy helped the Broncos finish 33rd in rushing (204.6 yards per game) and 27th in sacks allowed (17).[1] Keenoy was named to the Second Team All-Conference. He was also a three-time academic All-MAC selection.[3] Keenoy was a four-year starter at Western Michigan, starting 51 of 52 games. He graduated with a degree in finance and was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the "Academic Heisman."[1]
Professional career
After not being selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, Keenoy was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings.[3] He was waived after training camp on August 31 and became a volunteer assistant at Western Michigan.[4] Keenoy subsequently joined the Vikings practice squad.[5]
Keenoy was selected in the ninth round of the 2020 XFL Draft by the Dallas Renegades.[6] By the fourth game of the season, he was named the starting center. However, the season was cancelled after Week 5 due to the coronavirus pandemic.[5] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[7]
On April 16, 2020, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.[8] Keenoy joined offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor and linebacker Robert Spillane as former WMU players on the Steelers.[5] He was waived on September 5, 2020.[9]
Personal life
His father, John Keenoy, played football at Central Michigan University, while his mother, Melissa Keenoy, played basketball at the school.[10] Keenoy is a fan of country music and plays golf. He describes himself as a major foodie.[1]
References
- Buckley, Nick (December 17, 2018). "Unassuming John Keenoy at the center of Western Michigan's success over last four years". Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Hartman, Sid (May 17, 2019). "Vikings free-agent rookie lineman John Keenoy credits P.J. Fleck, staff for his development". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Nothaft, Patrick (April 28, 2019). "WMU football's John Keenoy signs undrafted free agent deal with Vikings". MLive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Saunders, Alan (April 16, 2020). "Steelers Add Former XFL, Western Michigan OL John Keenoy". Steelers Now. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Nothaft, Patrick (April 16, 2016). "Former XFLer John Keenoy to 'keep living the dream' after signing with Steelers". MLive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Bender, Bill (October 21, 2019). "XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league". Sporting News. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- Condotta, Bob (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
- Varley, Teresa (April 16, 2020). "Steelers sign four to add depth". Steelers.com. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- Varley, Teresa (September 6, 2020). "Steelers make moves to get to 53-man roster". Steelers.com.
- Kaminski, Steve (April 21, 2014). "East Kentwood offensive lineman John Keenoy announces college plans". MLive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.