Commitment Report: Keshaun Story (2017)

It was an up and down season for the Centennial Cougars' football program in 2016. Within the turmoil of an inconsistent offense and an early season coaching staff change, one constant was Keshaun Story. The senior was rarely off the field for the Cougars. Small in stature, Story's all-around game made him a fixture in all phases of the Cougars' game plan and helped give Story the ability to continue his football career in college. "In the third game, we had to find another offensive coordinator," Story said. "I think if anything it helped us out. We realized we had each other's backs and brought us closer." The defense carried the team most of the season, but when the offense got going, the team was hard to stop. "Our offense was doing well when our line was getting a good push," Story said. "We were able to run the ball and then would do a good job spreading the ball around on the perimeter with shorter passes. Our defense – the whole season – was great. Our defensive line was probably the best line in the state." Story was all over the field for the Cougars. He played receiver, corner, was a kick returner and even punted for the Cougars. "I was pretty happy with my season," Story reflected. "I started out playing mainly slot, and then I switched to more of a running back. On defense, I rotated in at cornerback." His athletic ability was one of his strengths. "On offense, I think my elusiveness and my quickness is one of my biggest assets. I am quick in and out of breaks." Not a big athlete, Story feels his recruitment was hindered because of his size. "To me, size doesn't mean anything. I will take a guy on who is 6'1" 200. It doesn't matter if he is my size or not." On tape Story doesn't look like a 5'8" 155-pound player. He is much more physical than he looks. "A lot of people I play against tell me ‘you are a lot stronger than you look'. " At the next level, Story knows where he needs to improve. "I want to make sure I keep focused on studying different coverages, learning the offense and learning how to play smart and set myself up in good position." A part-time starter as a sophomore, Story has been starting since late in his tenth-grade year. In between his junior and senior years, Story feels he became a better student of the game. "Being able to look at a defense and knowing what they are going to do, knowing what plays are going to be successful and where my body position should be if the defense is running two high safeties or one high – just getting a feel for that; just being smart running routes." This winter Story has been playing intermural basketball, lifting weights three times a week and going to Bill Welle's training center to work on his quickness twice a week. This spring will be on the track team. "I run the 100, the 4x100 and then I do the long jump and the triple jump. Last year I made it to State in the triple jump." Story has offers from Bemidji State and Mankato State. He has committed to Bemidji State. "I went up to Bemidji on an official visit and on the ride up there I wasn't too sure, but once we got on campus, the campus is beautiful, and I liked the coaching staff. The players – I could just tell they were there to grind to get better. It was something I wanted to be part of." The Beavers feel he will start out as a slot receiver. He has been told depending on how fast he picks up the offense and how well he does early on will determine if they red-shirt him or if he is going to compete for time as a freshman. Red-shirt or not, the do everything Story will eventually make an impact for the Beavers – somewhere on the field.