A key player in the middle of Alabama football's defensive line is heading to the NFL.
Tim Keenan III was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the No. 232 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft. Keenan is the ninth Alabama player off the board, joining quarterback Ty Simpson, who went to the Rams as the No. 13 overall pick.
Along with LT Overton, Keenan's selection continues a streak of 12 straight drafts where at least one Alabama defensive lineman was selected, following Tim Smith in 2025, and Chris Braswell and Justin Eboigbe in 2024.
Keenan grew into a captain and a leader of the Alabama defense, one who set the tone with his physicality at the point of attack and his reputation as a run-stuffing force in the middle of the defensive line. Keenan is not the biggest prospect. Nor is he the most dominant. But he's a table setter, one that can team up with Simpson and create a strong leadership base.
Keenan spent all five seasons of collegiate eligibility at Alabama after signing with the Crimson Tide as a four-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class.
Two games defined Keenan's Alabama career. First was his career day in Alabama's 2024 home win against South Florida where he recorded a career-high nine tackles, 2.5 of which were for loss, and 1.6 sacks. But Keenan capped off his Alabama career with a career-best two sacks against Eastern Illinois along with securing a forced fumble.
Keenan's production ramped up as his Alabama career continued, peaking in 2024 when he had 40 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks along with a pass deflection. Keenan played in 12 games in 2025, missing the first three with an ankle injury, and recorded 16 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and two sacks. He added two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, one blocked punt and a pass breakup.
Keenan was a four-star prospect out of Ramsay High School in Birmingham, where he led the team to a 5A state quarterfinal appearance as a junior.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tim Keenan draft: Rams pick Alabama DL in NFL draft seventh round