South Carolina early enrollee is already impressing a veteran: ‘Keshawn is amazing’
March 25, 2019
THE STATE
There wasn’t a ton of hype around South Carolina freshman tight end Keshawn Toney.
The Williston-Elko product was the second-rated tight end in USC’s class. On the February signing day, he wasn’t one of the top 1,000 players in the 247 composite rankings nationally.
A late jump pushed him into the low 700s, but he’s shown a lot more than that in the early part of South Carolina’s spring practice.
“Keshawn is amazing,” senior Kiel Pollard said. “A young guy that listens, is coachable. And on Sundays, Keshawn is in the indoor. He’s in the locker room, watching film. He just wants to get better.”
That’s a solid start for a player who committed early in the process from a small school.
Toney had to deal with injuries at the start of his senior season. He still managed to put up 51 catches for 750 yards and nine touchdowns while chipping in on defense.
In high school, he spent a lot of time as an outside receiver, and that could be where he flourishes in college.
“I think he’s a wide receiver that can play tight end,” tight ends coach Bobby Bentley said. ”When you look at his tape from high school. He’s a guy that’s splitting guys down the middle and he can really run. He’s a big guy, 245, 250 pounds and can really motor.”
Toney is currently listed at 236, which is right in line with Pollard and 2018 starter K.C. Crosby. Both spent a fair amount of time in the slot.
At the moment, Pollard is the elder statesman at that spot. Kyle Markway and Will Register are more blocking-first players. The wildcards are Evan Hinson, an athletic, tall player who just gave up basketball, and perhaps Traevon Kenion, who enrolled halfway through spring and is still playing catch-up.
Toney might well end up on the same path Pollard took, having to improve his blocking in a big way to carve out a role. For the veteran, that took a few years, but the work the freshman is putting in now could help him make it a little shorter.
“He’s definitely a receiver first,” Pollard said. “But he’s getting a whole lot better in everything.”
March 25, 2019
THE STATE
There wasn’t a ton of hype around South Carolina freshman tight end Keshawn Toney.
The Williston-Elko product was the second-rated tight end in USC’s class. On the February signing day, he wasn’t one of the top 1,000 players in the 247 composite rankings nationally.
A late jump pushed him into the low 700s, but he’s shown a lot more than that in the early part of South Carolina’s spring practice.
“Keshawn is amazing,” senior Kiel Pollard said. “A young guy that listens, is coachable. And on Sundays, Keshawn is in the indoor. He’s in the locker room, watching film. He just wants to get better.”
That’s a solid start for a player who committed early in the process from a small school.
Toney had to deal with injuries at the start of his senior season. He still managed to put up 51 catches for 750 yards and nine touchdowns while chipping in on defense.
In high school, he spent a lot of time as an outside receiver, and that could be where he flourishes in college.
“I think he’s a wide receiver that can play tight end,” tight ends coach Bobby Bentley said. ”When you look at his tape from high school. He’s a guy that’s splitting guys down the middle and he can really run. He’s a big guy, 245, 250 pounds and can really motor.”
Toney is currently listed at 236, which is right in line with Pollard and 2018 starter K.C. Crosby. Both spent a fair amount of time in the slot.
At the moment, Pollard is the elder statesman at that spot. Kyle Markway and Will Register are more blocking-first players. The wildcards are Evan Hinson, an athletic, tall player who just gave up basketball, and perhaps Traevon Kenion, who enrolled halfway through spring and is still playing catch-up.
Toney might well end up on the same path Pollard took, having to improve his blocking in a big way to carve out a role. For the veteran, that took a few years, but the work the freshman is putting in now could help him make it a little shorter.
“He’s definitely a receiver first,” Pollard said. “But he’s getting a whole lot better in everything.”
