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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
The first player profile in LSUOdyssey's 2025 edition of yearly in depth player analysis starts with.....
DAVHON KEYS
(Sophomore, LB)
31 TACKLES
4 QB PRESSURES
3 PBUs
2 TFLs
2 DROPPED INTs
1.5 SACKS
1 INT (RETURNED FOR TD)
1 FUMBLE RECOVERY
Over just 245 snaps & 8 appearances (4 as a starter) LSU freshman linebacker Davhon Keys stepped in for LSU after the loss of Harold Perkins & West Weeks and defensive coordinator Blake Baker's abandoning of the star position altogether in favor of a three linebacker setup, promoting the versatile freshman out of Aledo High....and the kid responded with a breakout stretch of powerhouse outings.
Able to stuff the run & pull off dynamic plays in coverage, Keys was invaluable for Blake Baker, cobbling together 31 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, making plays on the ball on 6 occasions (3 PBUs, 2 dropped INTs, 1 INT), pressured quarterbacks 4 times, and even recovered a fumble in such limited on field snaps......but his best moment arrived at the start of LSU's final game of 2024:
Stepping in front of a route in the flat, Davhon Keys introduced himself to the world by intercepting Sawyer Robinson's poor throw and racing past all comers 41 yards into the end zone for LSU's first and only defensive touchdown of 2024.
It was a critical game-turning play that forced Baylor to chase the Tigers' efficient offense all game long, while handing an extra two score distance for Baker's defense during the tougher, sloppier moments following Whit Weeks' fibula / ankle injuries.
Keys possesses (and has thoroughly demonstrated) his natural playmaking skills in the backfield, against the run, and in coverage, stuffing the box score with every appearance, only missing 1 tackling attempt, as well as having natural chemistry with Weeks, the Aledo High state champion is a Tiger all LSU fans should feel excited about in 2025.
Slated to either start alongside Whit Weeks, or rotate behind Weeks' elder brother West, LSU's sophomore enjoyed a scintillating debut campaign, developing and improving on his few rookie errors right before our eyes.
In Davhon Keys, defensive coordinator / LBs Coach Blake Baker knows he can count on this versatile young steambreather to play a variety of key roles, from run stuffer to coverage man, Keys has shown an impressive & innate ability to do a bit of everything, while under pressure and with odds stacked against his instant success.
Even during the team's poor three game losing streak, Keys turned in remarkable performances....from playing under the radar and holding his own at first before ultimately delivering straight up savage authority over the final 4 games.
Among a deep, talented but younger linebacker corps, more is expected of Davhon Keys in Year II, not only as an on field playmaker but as a locker room leader & example of yet another freshman Tiger linebacker who was able to produce a breakout debut.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
©️ 2025 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
Thoroughly impressed by this young man in his freshman year. He has a great physical skill set, but additionally, he shows the football instincts and coach ability that can make him a dominant presence.