Lincoln Keyes

Physical Profile

Keyes has a prototypical Y-TE frame, standing at an impressive 6-foot-6 and weighing around 250 pounds. His multi-sport background in basketball and track is evident in his athleticism on the football field. He has a verified 11.43 100-meter dash time, which is excellent for a player of his size and demonstrates his solid initial burst and ability to build momentum. This size and speed combination makes him a difficult matchup for high school defenders.

Play Style

Keyes is a physical and versatile tight end who excels at finding open windows in the short to intermediate passing game. He is a tough player to bring down after the catch as he builds momentum and runs through traffic. His film shows a player who is a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses due to his combination of size, speed, and reliable hands. He was named the tight end MVP at the Under Armour Next Camp in Ohio, further highlighting his skills.

Strengths

• Versatility: Keyes showcases the ability to be effective as both a receiver and a blocker. He can line up in-line, split out wide, and create mismatches from various spots on the field. As a junior, he was highly productive, catching 39 passes for 821 yards and eight touchdowns.
• Catch Radius and Hands: His large frame gives him a significant catch radius, and he has demonstrated the ability to make contested catches. He gets big at the catch point and displays good coordination, making him a reliable target for his quarterback.
• Blocking Potential: With his size and mass, Keyes is already a capable in-line blocker with a solid foundation. He has the potential to develop into a significant asset in the run game at the collegiate level.

Areas to Improve

• Creating Separation: While he has good initial burst, Keyes could find it more challenging to consistently create separation against the higher caliber of athletes he will face at the next level. Honing his route-running technique will be crucial for his development.
• Top-End Speed: While his 100-meter time is impressive for his size, he is not considered a player who will consistently win with pure foot speed on Saturdays. He relies more on his size and physicality to gain an advantage.

College Projection

As a true Y-TE projection, Keyes is expected to be a potential impact player for a College Football Playoff contender like Georgia. Given Georgia's history of developing and utilizing tight ends, he is in an ideal situation to flourish. He will likely need a year or two to physically develop and refine his route-running, but he has the tools to become a multi-year starter and a significant contributor in an offense that heavily features 12 and 13 personnel.

NFL Outlook

With his four-star rating and impressive physical traits, Lincoln Keyes projects as a player with NFL potential. His development at Georgia will be key, but his size, athleticism, and well-rounded skill set give him a high ceiling. He has been projected as a potential Day 3 pick in the NFL Draft (4-7 Round).

Best Fit

A pro-style offense that utilizes multiple tight end sets and values a versatile player who can contribute in both the run and pass game is the best fit for Keyes. The University of Georgia's offensive scheme is an excellent match for his skill set, allowing him to be used as both an in-line blocker and a receiving threat.