Posted: Mike Couzens
For the first two years of high school, he went by Chucky.
With a switch to quarterback and an eye on college, Chucky became Chuck Keeton and has become a serious player, and a serious recruit.
Syracuse has shown interest in the thin, yet explosive signal-caller from Texas. The Lone Star State big boys UT, Texas Tech and Texas A&M have all reached out to Keeton as well. So far he’s received offers from Memphis, Utah State and Bryant.
Back in April, he participated in the Elite 11 quarterback camp in Texas, and although he didn’t do as well as some might have hoped, just being there is a good start.
‚ÄúThe event is geared more towards pure passers and doesn’t really allow for players like him to show off their legs.
Keeton is very quick and has great agility and elusiveness, but lacks the arm strength you’d like to see out of a quarterback. As a result, he isn’t very accurate on deep throws.‚Äù
His frame also leaves a bit to be desired. Keeton stands at a thin but athletic 6’1”, 170 pounds. If he doesn’t continue to excel as a quarterback, he might have to move to wideout.
That’s not the worst thing in the world considering SU’s Van Chew came into school at the same height and was five pounds lighter.
And switching from quarterback isn’t sure failure either. Here’s a flashback to freshman Joe Fields from 2004:
“Syracuse University freshman quarterback Joe Fields said Thursday he plans to re-evaluate his future with the Orange after the team plays Georgia Tech in the Champs Sports Bowl next week in Orlando.
Fields said it’s been a tough year, one that began with him earning the starting job against Purdue and ended with him largely standing on the sidelines the last eight games. A veteran offense never clicked with Fields, whose own struggles ultimately cost him the job that sophomore Perry Patterson now commands.‚Äù
Perry Patterson? Wow. Fields is now on the Carolina Panthers by the way – as a safety.
As for Keeton, his speed is what will keep him on any roster. He’s got the threat of running as a quarterback, which he says he won’t hesitate to use.
“Whenever nobody’s open, I’m gone.”
Um, yes, please.
Keeton still has his senior year of high school left and sits as the 49th best quarterback in his class.
Quarterback or wide receiver, if he’s got speed, Syracuse should be giving him a visit.
