Chapman’s Dillon Keefe named Preseason All-American second year in a row

Dillon Keefe talked with The Panther about playing some of the best football of his career and looking toward pursuing the sport at a professional level. Photo courtesy of Dillon Keefe

Dillon Keefe, Chapman’s star linebacker and a senior business administration major, began his football career at around six years old. Now, after posting 72 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception in his junior year alone, Keefe has made a name for himself. 

Initially, Keefe did not know Chapman even had a football program, but once he committed to the program, he never looked back. Coming into his junior year, one of his goals was to become preseason First Team All American.

Keefe is content with accomplishing this feat twice, but feels that there are more important tasks that lay ahead of him. 

“It’s a nice pat on the back, but it is the preseason, and it really doesn't mean anything in terms of what's going to happen this season,” Keefe said. “All it is (is just) an expectation on my shoulders, but I'm definitely proud of myself … So, I did that, and now I'm just looking to accomplish more this season.”

This upcoming year will be critical for Keefe as he decides whether or not to continue football at the professional level. With this in mind, Keefe told The Panther he is more focused on enjoying every single moment of his last year, no matter the outcome. 

“Being at a small school — obviously, it’s Division III — we are not getting as much attention as somebody you’d see from Division I,” Keefe said. “If the opportunity presents itself, there's some attention around me and I get some opportunities for tryouts and workouts, I'll definitely see how far I can take it.”

For Keefe, making his dreams come true at a professional level would mean expanding his game and getting out of his comfort zone, but he is embracing the challenge head on.

“Something that definitely needs a lot of work for me is man coverage, where I'm not rushing the passer anymore,” Keefe said. “I've never really been in a position where I've had to do or fulfill a responsibility like that. So, it's been a little bit of a learning curve for me, but I've got really good coaches and teammates around me that are helping me out with it.”

If his dream to play professional football is realized, Keefe said he would want to be able to stay in the area surrounding Orange County, but he is willing to explore any option.

“I do like the Chargers’ organization a lot; I think it's a young, up-and-coming organization that definitely has a lot of strengths to it” he said. “At the end of the day though, playing and getting an opportunity would just be exciting for me overall, and I'll take what I can get, given it’s the right fit for me.” 

Football has been an important part of Keefe’s life, but he also wants to be able to feel unrestricted in going a different direction and pursuing the opportunities that come along with receiving his degree from Chapman.

“I do have a business degree from Chapman, so hopefully I can use that in some way to land me in a job that I enjoy,” Keefe said. “But, going forward, I know that the sport will always be with me.” 

A lot may seem uncertain for Keefe’s football career, but he enjoys every moment that he spends playing for the football team.

“What I love about playing at Chapman is probably my teammates — it's just a brotherhood I wouldn't trade for the world,” Keefe said. “Most of my memories are just thinking about the team, playing with them on the field. Just those random vivid memories that play back in your head over and over again. (I’m) probably never gonna forget (that).”