Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
PROVO — Several variables surround the vital improvements needed along BYU's offensive front for the 2024 season with the overall play and health of senior offensive tackle Brayden Keim front and center.
Keim is anticipated to lock down one of the critical tackle positions; and based on the pretext provided over the past two seasons, the 6-foot-9, 315-pound Alta High product should be set for marked improvement.
Keim had the opportunity to start last season and acquitted himself nicely in making starts at both tackle positions where he graded out well. According to Pro Football Focus, Keim saw 663 snaps in 12 games and warranted a 69.7 overall grade last season with a superb 83.8 mark in pass-blocking
"He's 6-foot-9, so he's a massive, massive offensive tackle," said PFF's Max Chadwick in a radio interview on ESPN 960. "So he graded out really well in pass (protection). He graded at 83.8 there, which I'd imagine puts him among the top 25 in the country, which is really good, obviously."
So where does that land Keim with regards to continuing BYU's recent tradition of landing offensive tackles in the NFL?
The Cougars football program has seen three of its tackles drafted in each of the past three years, beginning with Brady Christensen, extending to Blake Freeland and being topped off with Kingsley Suamataia being drafted in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs in this year's draft.
So what does Keim need to show, specifically to be regarded as an offensive lineman worthy of being drafted?
"The issue is run-blocking," Chadwick said. "But he's a very, very good athlete, and I think he's definitely a guy that can get his name called — probably in day three. He has to improve as a run-blocker, but in pass protection he was really impressive last year. Pass pro is the most important thing, so if he can improve a little bit as a run-blocker, then he can definitely be a draft pick."
Keim's run-block rating, according to PFF, was 55.9 last season, which is an area where BYU's offensive front, as a whole, struggled considerably. But with new offensive line coach TJ Woods at the helm, Keim and his teammates believe everyone involved will see marked improvements with their overall run-blocking during this coming football season.
"As a unit, we're tight right now," Keim said. "We've had a few new guys come in, but as an entire unit I feel that we're cohesive and everyone gets along. Everyone has the right mindset moving forward."
Still developing
Keim didn't play a down along the offensive front before he signed with BYU as part of the 2016 signing class. His time was spent playing at tight end, where he utilized his superior height and athleticism to stand out — not only on the gridiron, but on the hardwood, as well, averaging 10 points per game during his senior season at Alta.
But even though Keim didn't know it at the time, playing at tight end wasn't a likely scenario for him at the collegiate level — a fact well known by his father and former BYU offensive lineman Mike Keim.
"I was just really underdeveloped," Brayden Keim said. "I was just really skinny and didn't have much strength to me. My dad knew eventually that I'd be moved to tackle, so he just let me live out my tight end days as long as I could."
Keim left to serve a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Scotland and Ireland before returning to join the Cougars for the 2019 football season.
He bulked up to around 240 pounds while on his mission, setting the course of even more weight gain and a switch to current position of offensive tackle. His first action came during the 2020 season when he saw limited action before making two starts in 2021 and then playing in 10 total games in 2022.
All of it led up to a successful 2023 season, which saw the former Alta standout starting in eight of the 11 games and significant playing time every week.
"I think it was good for me, especially with it being my first year as a starter," Keim said. "I think I was able to get more comfortable, and it slowed down for me, a bit, so I could just play and do what I know I can do."
Given his massive frame, BYU's blocking system is a great fit for him, he feels.
"I like our wide zone — being able to cut guys off and then staying in front of them in pass pro," Keim said.
Trending toward a strong finish
The landscape and culture of BYU's offensive line group is likely to see a lot of change for Keim's final season in Provo, where Woods takes over the position group from Darrell Funk. So far, after just one practice session, Keim believes he's already seeing progression beginning in the film room.
"The football IQ stuff that he brings into meetings has really increased (my knowledge)," Keim said. "I've learned a lot seeing defenses and what linebackers are doing. … He's really helped improve my football IQ to a level that I've never had before."
As with the on-field instruction, Keim has appreciated Woods' intense yet productive approach.
"Once we got something corrected, we were able to improve and not keep making those same repetitive errors," Keim said. "Coach Woods does well identifying when guys aren't making the right steps or using their hands right, so once he identifies that we're able to move on past those errors and then improve our game."
Keim sat out spring due to offseason surgery on both of his thumbs but anticipates being completely healthy come fall camp, where he'll be looked at to start at either the right or left tackle positions.
As for aspects of his game he seeks to improve, it's further refining his technique in pass-blocking and then making significant improvements in becoming an efficient and consistent run-blocker.
"I'm focusing on my first step and not wasting movement," Keim said. "Outside of that, I'm working on just getting stronger and a bigger lower body so I'm able to move people a little better this year."
Criddle's conclusion
BYU has a solid history of recruiting, developing and producing high-level offensive tackles that were drafted, or at least found themselves as high priority undrafted free agents in the NFL. Much of that had to do with the late Roger French, a legendary offensive line coach that led the BYU trenches from 1980-2000.
Mike Keim, Brayden's father, was one of those that found himself in the league playing for both the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks from 1991-95. Since French retired, BYU hasn't seen as much success; but that number is definitely on the rise.
Since 2000, there have been six BYU offensive tackles that have either been drafted or played in the NFL as undrafted free agents.
The following is a list of notable BYU offensive tackles of the past, dating back to 1972:
- Kingsley Suamataia (2024)
- Blake Freeland (2023)
- Brady Christensen (2021)
- De'Ondre Wesley (2015)
- Matt Reynolds (2012)
- Dustin Rykert (2003)
- John Tait (1999)
- Eric Bateman (1998)
- Eli Herring (1995)
- Mike Keim (1991)
- Neal Fort (1991)
- John Hunter (1989)
- Warren Wheat (1989)
- Nick Eyre (1981)
- Lance Reynolds (1978)
- Dave Hubbard, (1977)
- Brad Oates (1976)
- Gordon Gravelle (1972)
Having a father that has gone through the same process will definitely be to an advantage for Keim. Barring any injury, I will be surprised if Keim isn't one of the next BYU offensive tackles taken in the NFL draft and/or picked up and as a high priority undrafted free agent in 2025.
