Trevor Keegan, a guard who was chosen by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, No. 172 overall, out of Michigan, stood out on the offensive line from his first snap.

The first freshman in Crystal Lake (IL) South High School history to start on varsity, he showed why after earning 2015 Freshman All-American honors as a left guard. Moving to left tackle as a sophomore, he was named All-Conference for the first of three consecutive seasons.

During his junior year, more than 100 college programs made their way to Crystal Lake, 50 miles northwest of Chicago, to recruit Keegan. He says he chose Michigan because of its tradition and coaches. And the fact that his mom, Amanda, was raised in Ann Arbor may have been a factor, too.

"I think Michigan alone sets itself apart from everyone else. Especially with (former Michigan head) Coach (Jim) Harbaugh there," said Keegan, who was wearing an Eagles DeSean Jackson jersey that he's had since sixth grade during his virtual conference call with reporters after being drafted. "We had an NFL-type schedule. It was a business. When you're there at Michigan you get the coaching, you get the training. It's a first-class program that we had. Our coaches did a great job preparing us. I feel like our scheme is an NFL scheme and it made my job very easy learning installs on these Zooms and things like that.

"Very similar communication and calls, so I think Michigan just sets you apart. Like you said, the competition, we played everybody. I've been able to play Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State. Really excited for this opportunity and I know these guys are all freaks in the NFL and continue to work my butt off. I'm just really excited for this opportunity. I can't wait to be in Philly."

After redshirting as a freshman and only playing in five games as a backup and on special teams in 2020, the 6' 5 3/8" and 310-pound Keegan contemplated transferring. He, however, stayed the course and became a physical, blue-collar mainstay at left guard.

"I had to make some changes in my game, study the playbook in and out, and do everything possible to get on the field," Keegan said. "I'm so eternally grateful that I decided to stay. Man, when you stay and stick to it and you tend to your work and work in the dark, you are going to shine in the light. That's exactly what happened. I couldn't be more grateful for my five years at Michigan."

A two-time All-Big Ten honoree, Keegan, who graduated with a degree in communication and media, heard his number announced less and less in stadiums as a Wolverine. He was called for penalties four times in 2021, twice in 2022, and not at all last season, when as a captain, he started every game for Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and helped Michigan win the National Championship.

"I was able to watch my film the past three months and just studied myself. The thing that pops out is I'm just a tone-setter. I love setting the tone in the run game," Keegan said. "I love the first short yardage, being able to blow the guy off the ball, the tush push I'm excited for. I can't wait to practice it and do it with the guys. You are getting a competitor, a guy who loves to win and breathes football. It's who I am and all I've ever done. I think if I didn't have football I would probably go crazy.

"I'm just excited. I know the culture in Philly. Everybody has been texting me about it and I'm super excited. I feel like I fit in perfectly."

Stats

• 44 Career games
• 37 Career starts, all at LG
• 0 Sacks allowed in 2023
• 3 Sacks allowed in entire career in 982 pass block snaps, per PFF
• Penalized just six times in more than 2,200 snaps

Accolades

• 2023 National Champion and team captain
• Part of 2 O-lines to win Joe Moore Award
• 2023: 2nd-team All-Big Ten
• 2022: 1st-team All-Big Ten
• No. 1 player in Illinois as a HS senior

What Director of Player Personnel Alan Wolking said: "He's smart and TOUGH. He's more of the mauler type. He's going to stand in close quarters and he's going to fight you on every rep. Michigan football has a brand, and he's a big part of that brand. So, a lot of the play style elements of his game are things we like here. I think the fans are getting someone who is very much in line with our play style – 'We're going to stay in here and we're going to fight until the whistle and it's going to be like that for every rep.' He'll fit in. Broadly, if you look at this group in general, all of these guys are at the top of our scale for football character, for toughness, for football instincts, and all of that. These guys were captains. They were great teammates. It was prevalent in all of their profiles."

Scouting Report

• Tough, physical, competitive player who teams search for in the trenches

• Good strength and is tough to get off his spot in pass protection

• Seasoned run blocker who has a good feel for leverage and hand usage

• Very effective pass protector who worked extremely well in Michigan's scheme

• Has primarily played guard but has proven his versatility with some tackle experience as well early on in college

• Senior captain on the 2023 National Champions

• Three-year starter on an offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award as the top line in college football in back-to-back seasons (2021-22)