Keyes’ Allegiance Goes Across Town

For more than 30 years, Dennis Keyes Sr. has been a USC football fan, his loyalty seemingly assured after watching Anthony Davis score six touchdowns against Notre Dame in a 1972 televised game from the Coliseum.

“My dream was I wanted to be a tailback at USC and win the Heisman Trophy,” he said.

He didn’t play football after high school, but he hoped his first son, Dennis Jr., might be good enough to play for the Trojans.

Keyes, an All-City running back and defensive back at Lake Balboa Birmingham High, attended the final day of a USC camp this summer thinking the Trojans would offer him a scholarship.

“I wanted to go to USC,” he said. “I played what I thought was real good football. I was ready to commit that day. They said they weren’t sure yet. They wanted me to come out again and show more. It was like I had to audition.”

Not long after the USC camp, Keyes attended a one-day camp at UCLA. The Bruin coaches didn’t need to see him play anymore. They immediately offered a scholarship.

“They treated me like I was at home,” Keyes said.

Keyes committed to the Bruins, forcing his mother, father and four siblings to change allegiances.

What UCLA will be getting in another year is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound hard-hitting safety who also could be one of the City Section’s top running backs this season.

As a junior, Keyes rushed for 1,172 yards, averaged 9.1 yards per carry and scored 18 touchdowns. He helped Birmingham win its second consecutive West Valley League championship.

“He’s got a linebacker’s mentality,” Coach Ed Croson said.

From the time he put on football pads as a 6-year-old, Keyes has loved to hit. He remembers following his father’s simple instructions in those early days: “Whoever has the ball, get ‘em.”

“I just ran into a lot of people because I was pretty big for my age,” he said. “It was fun, but I still had no idea what I was doing.”

Versatility became a Keyes trademark. On Birmingham’s varsity as a sophomore, he played every defensive position except tackle and nose guard. He made his biggest impact rushing quarterbacks, with teams struggling to find blockers quick enough to slow Keyes’ relentless pursuit.

He continues to blossom as a ballcarrier, using superb vision, speed and instincts. Last October in a 40-21 victory over Woodland Hills Taft, he rushed for 216 yards in 26 carries and scored on a 96-yard reception. He also dropped All-American receiver Steve Smith of Taft for a loss on a screen pass with a hit so intense that it made Birmingham’s highlight film.

“When you’re playing people like Steve and Taft, you have to come with your ‘A’ game or you’re going to lose,” Keyes said.

Keyes receives plenty of support from his family, particularly his two younger brothers, Julius, 11, and Spencer, 6.

“They kind of worship the ground he walks on and I let them know he’s not God,” Dennis Sr. said.

Spencer, who started playing tackle football in August, is a running back in the making.

“My little brother tries everything I do,” Keyes said. “He watches a highlight tape, sees me spinning off a tackle, so he’ll go run into the couch and spin off it.”

Keyes may have to do some redecorating of his bedroom. He played for the East Valley Trojans youth team and liked everything about the Trojans.

“I have Trojan trophies, helmets and jerseys all over my room,” he said. “I love the Trojans, but now I’m a Bruin.”

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*--* How They Rate Rating the top defensive backs in the Southland Southern Section Player, School Ht Wt Yr Comment 1. Terrell Thomas, Rancho 6-2 175 Sr Has tremendous speed Cucamonga 2. Randy Estes, Los Alamitos 6-1 190 Jr Started for Long Beach Poly 3. Desmond Reed, Temple City 5-10 180 Sr Had nine interceptions 4. Kenneth Frank, Cerritos 6-0 195 Sr Division VI defensive MVP 5. Freddie Parish, L.B. Poly 6-1 190 Sr Being heavily recruited 6. Kevin Ross, St. Bernard 5-11 175 Sr Had six interceptions 7. Marcus Everett, Chaminade 6-1 185 Jr Athletic, quick and doesn’t get beat 8. Chad Simonson, Arroyo Grande 6-1 200 Sr Four-year starter at free safety 9. Anthony Wheat, Dominguez 6-2 215 Sr Free safety with excellent skills 10. Ryan Smith, Bishop Amat 5-10 170 Sr Cornerback who loves man coverage 11. Ray Bass, Corona Centennial 5-11 175 Sr Runs 40 yards in 4.4 seconds 12. Austin Smith, Pacific 5-10 175 Sr Had eight interceptions 13. Christian Bass, Canyon 6-2 194 Sr Excellent tackler Springs 14. Eddie Hunter, Inglewood 5-8 175 Sr Fast and fearless 15. Duran Cooley, Cathedral 6-2 200 Sr Transfer is aggressive safety 16. William Boyd, Serra 5-9 170 Sr Another future college player 17. Herman McBroom, Redlands 6-1 195 Sr Makes impressive hits 18. Nick Pierson, St. 5-9 160 Sr Versatile two-way Bonaventure performer 19. Anthony Banks, Twentynine 5-10 170 Sr Had seven Palms interceptions 20. Corey Boudreaux, Mater Dei 6-2 190 Sr Leader of outstanding defense 21. Bryan Payton, South Hills 6-1 175 Sr Standout in summer tournaments 22. Richard Moore, Claremont 5-10 180 Sr Small but feisty and talented 23. Marques Dailey, Mission 6-1 180 Sr Helped team go 14-0 Viejo last season 24. Jacob McCravey, Palmdale 5-10 170 Sr Good speed and jumping skills 25. Vince Freitas, Paso Robles 6-2 195 Jr Can be big-time player 26. Rasheed Prescott, Los 5-9 165 Sr Cornerback with Alamitos speed, toughness 27. Adam Richter, Oaks Christian 6-0 195 Sr Scored 23 touchdowns at running back 28. Jermaine Wallace, Diamond 6-1 210 Sr Fast, strong, Bar versatile 29. Stephen Wright, Valencia 5-11 170 Sr QB who can hit with the best City Section 1. Dennis Keyes, Birmingham 6-2 185 Sr Committed to UCLA 2. A.J. Tuitele, Banning 5-11 195 Sr Committed to Oregon 3. Chad Green, Birmingham 5-11 175 Sr As fast as they come 4. Paul Pratt, Taft 5-10 180 Sr Had seven interceptions 5. Marc Hull, Narbonne 6-3 210 Sr Free safety with size, strength 6. Terrance Calloway, San 5-11 160 Sr Tough on man coverage Fernando 7. Steve Phillips, Gardena 5-10 175 Sr Three-year starter 8. Josh Ford, Carson 5-10 175 Sr Can hit, run, tackle 9. Stanley Heath, San Pedro 5-10 170 Sr Banning transfer has talent 10. Jerome Boyd, Dorsey 6-2 175 Jr Free safety with range, toughness 11. Kareem Dennis, Fairfax 5-7 160 Sr Made eight interceptions 12. Wallace Hightower, 6-2 175 Sr Important Comet Westchester defender 13. Nate Elliston, Belmont 5-9 156 Sr Has excellent speed, moves 14. Darion Donnelly, Granada 6-2 170 Jr Frosh-soph league MVP Hills Eric Sondheimer

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