DL Keke sheds number, weight

COLLEGE STATION — Defensive lineman Kingsley Keke dropped an “8” from his Texas A&M jersey just in time for his senior season.

“Something I always wanted to wear in my life — a single-digit number,” Keke said of dipping from No. 88 to No. 8. “So why not do it my last year? It looks good.”

Perhaps more importantly to the Aggies’ fortunes his senior season, Keke also dropped a “20” this offseason. He’s gone from a listed weight of 305 last year to 285, according to new coach Jimbo Fisher.

“He’s lost some weight, and he’s in tremendous shape,” Fisher said of Keke, a former George Ranch High standout. “You knew he was a good athlete, and then he really got in shape, and you started seeing the athleticism.”

Keke’s slimming comes at a good time for the Aggies, considering they’re deep at his accustomed position of defensive tackle but shallow at defensive end.

Defensive end especially took a hit in the past week when Fisher announced projected starter Micheal Clemons is out for an indefinite period with an injured foot.

That means more time in camp for Keke at end, opposite senior Landis Durham, who tied for the Southeastern Conference lead last season with 10.5 sacks.

“We’ve got guys we can move around,” Fisher said. “And Kingsley Keke can go out there and play (defensive end) in two seconds.”

Keke (6-4, 285) is coming off a career-high nine tackles in the Aggies’ Belk Bowl loss to Wake Forest in Charlotte, N.C.

On a defense in dire need of leaders, no one fits the bill better than the durable, versatile lineman.

“He’s a very good athlete, and he can play physical, too,” Fisher said. “His ability to move around and putting him in some different spots helps a lot. He’s smart, he understands ball and he learns well.”