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And finally, we get to talk about offensive linemen on the countdown!
John Keenoy has certainly earned the praise as he has started 37 of 38 possible games at center for the Western Michigan Broncos, earning All-MAC First Team and Second Team honors in 2017 and 2016 respectively. His stats for a Group of Five offensive lineman are insane; Keenoy has not given up a sack since the end of his freshman season and allowed just two QB pressures all of last season. He will be the anchor of an offensive line that has become prolific in the MAC as WMU has had a tremendous rushing attack over the past two seasons and have sent three linemen to the NFL (Chukwuma Okorafor, Taylor Moton, Willie Beavers).
The 6’3”, 300-pounder out of Kentwood, Michigan clearly has the attention of NFL scouts; he is rated as the #12 center of the 2019 draft class according to DraftScout.com and was graded as one of the highest-rated centers by Pro Football Focus in pass protection. The problem he might have in the next level arm length and keeping defensive linemen from getting into him, as well as being a fluid puller in some of the run blocking schemes.
It should be another big season for Keenoy and the Broncos in 2018 as he joins three other returners on the offensive line. The new face will be at a critical position at left tackle, but projected starter Antwan Reed originally committed to Penn State before taking his talents to Kalamazoo. It could be a special season offensively for WMU, and Keenoy will be a major reason why.