Former BYU LB Keenan Pili Finds New Home Out Of Transfer Portal
Dec 21, 2022, 1:34 PM
Former BYU linebacker Keenan Pili announced he is committed to play for Tennessee. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – Former BYU linebacker Keenan Pili is off to the SEC. The graduate transfer announced that he has committed to play for the Tennessee Volunteers.
HOME 🍊 COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/XVDCHUUhAZ
— Keenan Pili (@KeenanPili7) December 21, 2022
Pili has one year of college eligibility remaining. A member of Kalani Sitake’s first recruiting class in 2016, Pili played four seasons for the Cougars. During his time in Provo, the former Timpview High standout recorded 191 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
The 2021 season was Pili’s best at BYU. He had 31 tackles in three games against Pac-12 competition. But his season was cut short due to an ACL injury. That setback to Pili changed the entire outlook on BYU’s defense that year.
Pili is the fifth former BYU player in the 2023 transfer portal cycle to land at a Power Five program. He joins QB Jacob Conover (Arizona State), LB Tate Romney (Arizona State), EDGE Logan Fano (Utah), and OL Campbell Barrington (Baylor). In addition, former BYU tight end Dallin Holker has landed at Colorado State. While wide receiver Terence Fall committed to Northern Arizona from the FCS ranks.
Keenan Pili was a captain at BYU
Pili primarily lined up at the MIKE linebacker spot and was an anchor in the middle of the defense. He was one of eight players designated captain in the 2022 season.
He joins a Tennessee Volunteer team that finished the regular season with a 10-2 record and a No. 6 ranking in the final College Football Playoff Top 25. The Volunteers depth chart entering the regular season finale consisted of two seniors atop the depth chart at the middle linebacker spot.
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BYU was initially scheduled to open the 2023 season against Tennessee in Provo. But the Volunteers bought out the game in favor of playing Virginia in nearby Nashville instead.
Tennessee also has games on the road against Florida and Alabama and home against Georgia next season.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU moving to the Big 12 Conference on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
