Dane Key with his father, Donte.
Four-star receiver Dane Key of Frederick Douglass has 20 scholarship offers and will pick his college Thursday during a ceremony at his high school. The state’s highest-ranked recruit picked Thursday because that is his brother Devon’s birthday. Devon, a former Western Kentucky star, is on the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs and will join the ceremony visually.
“It makes a dad really happy that they are that close together to where Dane wanted to do it on Devon’s birthday,” Donte Key, a former Kentucky linebacker, said. “Frederick Douglass is helping with the technology so Devon can be part of it after practice.”
The 6-2, 170-pound Key has 28 catches for 408 yards and five touchdowns in six games this season. He has his college choices down to Oregon, South Carolina, Michigan, and Kentucky.
“Schools have shown a lot of interest. They are all good schools, so it has been really hard for him to choose because of all the things each one can bring,” Donte Key said. “They can each bring something a little different. He is excited. It’s been a good process for him. His brother gave him some guidance that has helped.”
Most consider Kentucky the favorite with his family ties to UK and the persistence recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow has shown.
Donte Key was on WPBK-FM with myself and Tim Estes Thursday. I suggested that maybe his son’s choice was not that hard considering the travel distance to Oregon, cold weather in Michigan and lack of success South Carolina has had recently.
Donte Key wouldn’t bite.
“When you are playing football, weather is not a factor,” Donte Key said. “We try to tell our kids to disregard the elements. Weather is not a problem.
“Distance is what it is. Heck, I would mortgage the house if I had to (to travel to watch him play). Momma is not going to miss his games.
“This is going to be Dane’s decision. Devon had his. I had mine. It’s up to us to give him information and help pull out the determining factors and then let him make his decision.”
