From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Arizona State CB Keith Abney II.
#1 KEITH ABNEY II/CB, ARIZONA STATE (JUNIOR) – 6-0, 190
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Keith Abney II 6-0/190 N/A N/A N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
N/A N/A N/A
THE GOOD
– Good athletic ability
– Quick twitch in press and off-man coverage
– Great burst out of half turn run
– Good change of direction and hip flexibility
– Patient feet in press coverage
– Gets collisions in off-man coverage
– Has vertical speed to run with deep routes
– Uses hands throughout route to control the receiver
– Smart awareness in zone coverage
– Sinks from flat with no underneath threat
– Midpoints two verticals in Cover 3
– Reads quarterbacks’ eyes well
– No false steps, determined in every movement
– Does not get out of control vs shifty releases
– Great ball skills
– Knocks ball out
– Good form tackler
THE BAD
– Average play strength
– Gets handsy throughout the route and can commit penalties
– Short arms hurt him in getting a jam and keeping the receiver nearby
– Can lose on jump balls
– Bigger receivers can box him out
– Overruns verticals in press and gets beat on curls and comebacks
– Does not turn head to locate ball in phase
– Not aggressive playing the run
– Struggles to shed blocks
STATS
– Started 25 games across 3 years at Arizona State
– 2025: 44 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 12 PBUs, and 2 interceptions
– Career: 98 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 12 PBUs, and 6 interceptions
– Aligned on the outside for 725 stats and in the slot for only 13 snaps
INJURY HISTORY
– 2025: played with a cast on hand after an injury at Utah
– 2023: focused on ankle mobility, citing minor undisclosed injuries
BACKGROUND
– Turning 22 in January of 2027
– Named 2025 All-Big 12 First Team
– Received 2025 All-American Honors from PFF
– Was a part of Arizona State’s Barrett Honors College
– Three-star prospect out of Waxahachie High School in Texas
– Ranked the No. 103 athlete in the country
– Also played wide receiver in high school and was recruited as an athlete
– Was named to 2021 Texas District 11-6A First-Team as a Junior
– Abney II used to participate in speed skating, winning the national championship in 7th grade and beating the 300-meter indoor national record
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Keith Abney II is a feisty, young, and small corner who flashes on tape with his athletic ability. He is a twitchy athlete who can fly around the field with no wasted movement, often getting to the right spot to make a play.
The explosion out of breaks that Abney II plays with is impressive, shown by his ability to get out of his half-turn and drive on the ball. He puts his foot in the ground and has the leg strength to get off his back foot and make impact plays, like this interception.
In zone coverage, Abney II does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes and baiting him to make bad throws. As a flat defender, he gets his hands on the receiver and sinks when there is no threat underneath. In cover 3, he has the ability to get out of the half-turn but can run with verticals as well.
This play is a variation of Cover 4, where he will drive on the slot receiver breaking out, which he does to perfection, making a tackle for little gain.
In man coverage, Abney II is athletic enough to play in press or off. At the release point, he does not jam receivers but uses his change of direction to stay in front. This is always worrisome when transitioning to playing against NFL receivers, but I think he has the twitchiness to survive in press coverage. Once the receiver gets into the route, Abney II uses his hands to control him, which can bite him at times.
He gets handsy at times and can commit penalties. This example at the top of the screen is a good play and shows his movement skills and physicality when the receiver breaks.
Abney II does not have the longest arms, which can sometimes show up in press coverage. The reps where he tries to jam, he can lunge to make contact, but he gets beaten. I think he will be best served by not trying to jam and using his change of direction to win in press, because he can get beaten badly. His man is not targeted, but this is an example of his short arms at the bottom of the screen.
Abney II shows off his twitchiness consistently in press coverage, snuffing out routes early. He always keeps his leverage and does not fall for different releases.
Here, at the bottom of the screen, Abney II prevents the receiver from releasing at all. The quarterback changes the play at the line to a run, but the receiver is still running his route.
In off-man coverage, he has the change of direction to wall off receivers from getting downfield. However, his size shows up negatively at times, where he can overrun vertical routes and get beaten back to the ball. Receivers can also box him out to win contested catches due to his short arms and slight build.
His size and play strength also show up in press coverage, as he loses deep to bigger receivers. Abney II does not turn his head in phase, and he loses sight of the ball. Outside receivers with size and strength will be fine with Abney II guarding them, given the strength advantage they will have. He does everything right on this rep until the ball is thrown and loses the 1v1 to a big receiver.
I was disappointed with his effort vs. the run and expected more after seeing his high PFF grade. He lacks effort in getting to set the edge and does not shed blocks quickly. Here, at the top of the screen, he is moving in slow motion as he tries to get off a block.
CONCLUSION
Keith Abney II is a cornerback with the athletic ability and technique to play man or zone coverage. He understands coverages and his role on each rep and does it to the best of his ability with no wasted movements. He wins with his twitchiness and change of direction, but lacks the elite size and strength to hold up against bigger receivers. He is also extremely young, just turning 21, so his upside is high.
NFL Projection: Mid-Day 2
Steelers Depot Grade: 8.1 (Long-Time Starter)
Grade Range: 7.6-8.3
Games Watched: vs Baylor (2025), at Utah (2025), vs Texas Tech (2025), vs Arizona (2025)
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