Dane Key has the athleticism to be the total package for a Division I receiver
Ask Frederick Douglass coach Nathan McPeek to describe 6-3 junior receiver Dane Key and he will say “business-like, grinder, total package.” Key has over 20 scholarship offers, including Kentucky where his father, Donte, played and was game MVP in 1994 when UK beat Louisville 20-14 in the first game between the rivals in 70 years.
In six games this year he has 24 catches for 374 yards — over 15 yards per catch — and nine touchdowns along with a kickoff return for another score going into tonight’s game against Scott County. He’s even thrown a two-point conversion pass.
“Dane is unbelievable. He is just the total package. He knows the game and works very hard. He doesn’t miss many reps, ” McPeek said. “He can do a little bit of everything.”
He’s not quite as fast as teammate Dekel Crowdus, a receiver who has verbally committed to UK, but he is still under 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. McPeek has timed him in 4.48 seconds.
“He’s faster than a lot of people think because with that long stride he makes it look so easy,” McPeek said. “He also really runs great routes.”
Key is the second-ranked recruit in Kentucky in the 2022 recruiting class. He has drawn a lot of interest from Oregon and Texas along with Kentucky.
“If not for COVID, Dane likely would have even more offers,” McPeek said “He’s getting some emails and calls but recruiting in person is dead now. Coaches are just trying to survive and do a job.
“But Dane is big time. He’s the complete package for sure. I think Clemson may offer soon. He’s that good.”
