Arizona State has become a premier program in the Big 12. The Sun Devils won the conference in 2024 and were in the mix in 2025. While Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson played a central role, they weren’t the only elite players. Cornerback Keith Abney II headlined Arizona State‘s defense over the past two seasons. He’s a versatile playmaker who impacts the game in many ways. Abney is on the short list for top corners in this draft class. His collegiate production is evident, but how does he translate to the next level?
2026 NFL Draft: Keith Abney II Player Profile
Measurables
Height- 5-foot-10
Weight- 187 pounds
Background
Abney was a three-star recruit coming out of Waxahachie (Texas) and the 146th-ranked athlete in the Class of 2023. He has a background in speed skating, being a four-time national champion. Abney committed to Arizona State and saw limited action as a true freshman. He appeared in eight games and got his first-career interception against Oregon. 2024 was a breakout year for the Sun Devils, going from 3-9 to 11-3 and a trip to the College Football Playoff. Abney became a key piece in their secondary, racking up 52 tackles, nine pass breakups, and three interceptions in 14 games.
As good as Abney was in 2024, he only got better as a junior. In 12 games, he put up 44 tackles, 12 pass breakups, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Abney allowed just 32 catches for 321 yards and no touchdowns on 72 targets in 2025. His success wasn’t just limited to coverage, as he posted an 87.6 PFF tackling grade during his final season in Tempe.
Strengths
The first thing that stands out when watching Abney is his ball skills. He has five interceptions and 21 pass breakups in two seasons as a starter and has great closing speed to make plays on the ball. Abney is a fluid athlete who sticks incredibly well in man coverage. He also performs well in zone coverage, showing great instincts and reading the quarterback’s eyes well. While he isn’t the biggest corner, he plays with tenacity and has proven production playing on the boundary. Abney is also a remarkable run defender, providing value on every down. He’s a phenomenal tackler for the position, displaying good technique.
Weaknesses
While Abney plays physically for his size, the smaller frame is a concern. At 5-foot-10 and 187 pounds, he’s on the smaller end for an NFL corner. This brings into question his ability to play on the boundary at the next level against bigger X-receivers. Although Abney’s physicality can be a positive, it can also be a downside. He tends to get grabby and had 13 penalties over the past two years. While his long-range speed is good, it isn’t elite.
Overview
Abney is an exciting prospect, being a player who makes splash plays and has impressive athleticism. He is great in both man and zone coverage and has elite ball skills. His run defense and tackling give him more value on early downs. While his frame might prevent him from being a true CB1, he should find a role in any secondary he winds up in. If he can clean up the penalties, he can develop into a high-quality starter. Abney has the potential to be a good boundary corner, but he can also move to nickel and find success. His run defense and tackling should allow him to be a productive player lining up closer to the ball. Abney is projected as a second-round pick, but has a chance to be selected late in the first round. The Rams and Eagles are ideal fits, contenders who can use another cornerback.
Main Photo: [Mark J. Rebilas] – Imagn Images