ASU FOOTBALL: ‘He Does Everything Right’: High Performer In Contention For Starting CB Job
A sophomore who moved from nickel to cornerback after the transfer of Ed Woods and the departure of ASU’s two others who started at cornerback last season, Keith Abney was labeled a perfect teammate this week by his head coach.
One of the most intelligent players on Arizona State’s roster is vying for a significant role this season.
With the top three cornerbacks from last year’s team gone, sophomore Keith Abney II transitioned from nickel to cornerback after spring football. He worked with the first defensive unit during ASU’s initial three preseason practices.
“He’s really standing out for us right now,” said cornerbacks coach Bryan Carrington. “It’s his second year in the system, so he doesn’t have to process as much.”
As a freshman last season, Abney participated in eight games for the Sun Devils, including the final seven. His only statistics came in the game against Oregon, where he made two tackles and intercepted backup quarterback Ty Thompson—one of five interceptions for ASU that season.
A Sports Business major and a member of Barrett, The Honors College at ASU, Abney received the Pat Tillman Award for outstanding academic achievement at the team banquet in December.
Despite not being heavily recruited by many Power Four teams before switching his commitment from Utah State to ASU, head coach Kenny Dillingham described him as a perfect example of the type of player he seeks.
“He is smart, tough, possesses excellent ball skills, and is one of the best teammates you’ll ever find,” Dillingham said. “He approaches everything with full intensity, and everyone loves him. He pays attention to details and plays hard, which is what I admire about him. He consistently does everything right, and those are the players you win with.”
After starting cornerback Ed Woods transferred to Michigan State following spring practice, Abney is one of three players, along with sophomore Javan Robinson and junior Laterence Welch, to take first-team reps at cornerback during ASU’s initial three practices.
“It’s God’s plan,” Abney said. “I’m just following God’s guidance wherever [Dillingham] wants me to play. I believe that’s what’s best for me and for the defense.”
Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 185 pounds, Abney has developed impressive skills from his background in inline skating, which he thinks will benefit him whether he plays at nickel or against larger wide receivers on the outside.
“My abilities complement both positions because I can play quick, but I can also hold my own physically,” Abney explained. “I can be aggressive at corner and be agile at nickel, getting in and out of breaks quickly and playing fast.”
A former standout at Waxahachie High School in Texas, Abney joined ASU’s roster shortly before three other freshman cornerbacks from Texas—Rodney Bimage, Chris Johnson, and Tony-Lewis Nkuba—who have also been practicing with the second and third teams.
“Nowadays, in college sports, it’s advantageous to have talent pipelines beyond your state,” Carrington noted about ASU’s “Texas to Tempe” initiative, which has resulted in more players from Texas on the team’s 2024 roster than ever before.
Abney takes pride in being part of Dillingham’s first class from Texas.
“I’m really one of the pioneers of that,” Abney said. “It’s great to be involved in this movement, having many people from my area coming to ASU. Knowing you’re not alone, and that there are others from similar backgrounds adapting to this new culture is really meaningful.”