Chiefs: UDFA Focus on Safety Devon Key

Based on his signing with the Kansas City Chiefs, I just knew I had to take a look at Safety, Devon Key. Key is a 6-foot-0, 212 lbs. Safety with 4.53 speed out of Western Kentucky who plays solid football. His speed probably means that he will be positioned in that role, but could be seen as a CB in the future. Key was selected to the All Freshman team of Conference USA. In 2020, he started all 12 games, collecting 94 tackles, 1 Int and 2 PBs. He was All Conference, 2nd team after his senior season. Each year of his play he had 90+ tackles except for 2018. His interception total 6 Int’s, two of them pick-sixes in his Junior and Senior years. From Western Kentucky Sports, here’s a list of some his college career awards:

.

• 2020 All-Conference USA Second Team
• 2020 PFF College All-CUSA Second Team
• 2020 Phil Steele All-CUSA Second Team
• 2020 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
• 2019 Conference USA Honorable Mention
• Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 9, 2019)
• 2018 Conference USA Honorable Mention
• 2017 Conference USA All-Freshman Team

.

.

.

.

Here’s a short video on of Key with one of his two pick-6 INTs:

.

.

.

Here’s another Devon Key’s INT, this one vs. Georgia State.

.

.

Okay, I’ve provided some superlatives. What more do we know?

• Keyes did not play for a major university. This doesn’t mean he is not skilled, it means that NFL eyes were not focused on him.
• There is a minimal amount of video available on him, making judgements difficult.

.

However, here is a workout video of Key at WKU:

.

.

.

.

Devon Key recorded 344 tackles, 19 passes broken up and six interceptions — 2-pick sixes — during his collegiate career. Also from Western Kentucky Sports they say this about Key’s 2020 season:

.

“Key capped his Hilltopper career as one of the most accomplished defenders in program history. In four years, he started 49 of a possible 50 games at safety…. With 350 career tackles, he set the program’s FBS Era (since 2009) record, surpassing Andrew Jackson’s 326 tackles from 2010-13. Those 350 career tackles also placed him 10th on the all-time charts in WKU’s 102-season history, and ranked fourth among FBS players who were active for the 2020 season. As a senior, Key recorded 92 total tackles (55 solo, 37 assisted) to lead the Hilltoppers, rank third in Conference USA and 23rd in the nation.”

.

I can understand why Key was on the Chiefs radar. I’m a bit surprised that other teams weren’t on top of him… and… that he wasn’t a draft pick. As a 4-year starter, he should have garnered attention. His size and speed are a plus and he is known for his attention to detail and work ethic, especially in off-the-field activities.

.

His former DC at Western Kentucky had positive things to say about him, viewing him as a player with a high football IQ. I ‘m positive that this factor was another reason the Chiefs invited him to camp. Maurice Crum, DC of the Hilltoppers had this to say of Key:

.

“What he does best is that you can disguise and move Devon around and he won’t get flustered… A lot of guys, when you get them out of their comfort zone, you gotta give them a few extra reps to make sure they’re comfortable to do whatever.”

.

Pro Day Stats

Height and Weight: 6-foot-0, 212 lbs.

40 yard dash: 4.53

.

We also know Devon Key has his priorities in order. In an interview he was asked: “What would you say is your biggest achievement?”… and here’s what he said:

.

“I’m most proud of my 5 month old son.

Being a father has been challenging at times,

but it’s also a huge blessing.“

.

Bottom Line

I see the stats. I see his size, speed and tackling ability and how that would fit the NFL. I classify Key as a, player to watch, for the 2021 pre-season, especially in games. He may have the stats, but against lesser schools of the NCAA, for the most part. Key has some reasons to take him seriously though, from various appraisals of scouts, his underlying strength is that he plays with good smoothness and control — fluid. Key has very good, strong hands and has developed instinctive and fast play, which should translate to the NFL Level. Apparently, the judgement is that he gets “lazy” at times, related to fundamentals. Where he will need coaching is in his bend and hip flex as well as his get-off which one evaluator felt was inconsistent. Another evaluator felt like he needed work with his footwork.

.

Wait and see — is my bottom line. If Key makes the club it will be on the PS, which for the money laid out to get him aboard, tells me that Veach and the coaching staff believe they have something there to develop.

.

David Bell — ArrowheadOne

.

If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-udfa-focus-on-safety-devon-key/#disqus_thread)

.