Casey Austin "Case" Keenum (born February 17, 1988) is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Houston, where he became the NCAA's all-time leader in total passing yards, touchdowns, and completions. In the 2008 college football season, Keenum ranked first nationally in total offense and second in total passing yards.[1][2] During the 2011 season, Keenum became the Football Bowl Subdivision's all-time leader in total offense, as well as the all-time leader in total touchdown passes by an FBS quarterback. As a result of his on-field contributions to Houston's success, Keenum was named to several All-American lists. He is the only quarterback in Division I FBS football history to have passed for more than 5,000 yards in each of three seasons.

After being signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Keenum threw for 1,760 yards and 9 touchdowns in the eight games he started for the Texans, before being waived prior to the 2014 season. Keenum was then signed to the St. Louis Rams' practice squad. He re-signed with the Texans later in 2014. In 2015, the Rams traded a draft pick to the Texans for Keenum, where he played until signing as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. After starter Sam Bradford got injured, Keenum came in and had a career year, setting highs in starts, passing yards, completions and touchdowns. He led the Vikings to a 13-win regular season, followed by a last-second win over the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round of the playoffs; the Vikings lost in the next round to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Keenum once again became a free agent, and signed a two-year deal with the Broncos in March 2018.

High school career [ edit ]

Keenum played football for Wylie High School in Abilene, Texas.[3] During his high school football career, he passed for 6,783 yards and 48 touchdowns and rushed for 41 touchdowns and 2,000 yards for the Bulldogs.[4] Logging 42 starts at quarterback, Keenum posted a career record of 31–11.[5] In 2004, Keenum led Wylie in the game-winning drive for a 17–14 victory over Cuero High School of Cuero, Texas in the Texas Class 3A Division I Championship.[6] Keenum earned varsity letters in basketball and track during his high school career.[5]

In addition to being recruited by the University of Houston, Keenum was recruited by Baylor, North Texas, and UTEP,[4] but Houston was the only university to offer a scholarship.[6]

College career [ edit ]

2006 season [ edit ]

Keenum began his college career for the Houston Cougars during the 2006 season. During Keenum's freshman season, senior Kevin Kolb held the starting quarterback position for the Cougars, leading the coaching staff to redshirt Keenum for the season.[7] The 2006 Cougars won the Conference USA championship, and Kolb was drafted by the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles.[8][9]

2007 season [ edit ]

In fall camp before the 2007 season, the Cougars held a de facto quarterback competition to fill the starting spot vacated by the departure of four-year starter Kevin Kolb. The competition swung between Keenum and sophomore Blake Joseph throughout two-a-days and during much of the season, with each player displaying a different set of strengths and weaknesses. Keenum made his first collegiate appearance on September 1, 2007 when the Cougars opened the season at the Oregon Ducks. He threw for 179 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-27 passing and added 47 rushing yards on nine carries against the Ducks.[10] Against C-USA rival Tulane Green Wave in the second game, Keenum threw for 185 yards and a touchdown on 13-of-21 passing, leading Houston to a 34–10 win.[11] In the third game of the year against the Colorado State Rams, Keenum came on in relief of starter Blake Joseph and accounted for four touchdowns.[12] For this performance, Keenum was recognized as CollegeSportsReport.com's Division I FBS National Performer of the Week. Keenum played at quarterback in all thirteen games of the season, starting in seven.[13] Late in the season, the Houston coaching staff selected Keenum to be the regular starting quarterback over Blake Joseph. Keenum's outstanding pocket presence and efficient passing won out in the end over Joseph's stronger arm and running ability. Overall, he finished with 2,259 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.[14]

2008 season [ edit ]

Keenum with Houston in 2011

During the 2008 season, Keenum became the second player in school history to complete over 5,000 passing yards in one season. He also led the nation in total offense, and was the national runner-up in passing yards, behind Texas Tech's Graham Harrell.[2] The Houston Cougars showed many signs of improvement, winning their first bowl game since 1980 with a victory over Air Force, and defeating two nationally ranked opponents.[15][16] Following the season, Keenum won the 2008 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year award.

2009 season [ edit ]

Keenum led the Houston Cougars to a 10–4 record in 2009.[17] Keenum finished the 2009 season with 48 total touchdowns and over 5,800 total offensive yards. His play helped Houston upset then #5-ranked Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and later Mississippi State.[18][19][20] Houston played East Carolina on the road in the Conference USA Championship, but lost the game in the final minute.[21] Houston faced Air Force in a rematch of the previous year's Armed Forces Bowl and this time Air Force emerged victorious. In cold, windy conditions, Keenum threw six interceptions in the game, and was held to only one touchdown.[22] He finished in eighth place in the Heisman Trophy voting in the 2009 season.[23]

2010 season [ edit ]

Keenum was in a position to challenge more than one major NCAA division one passing record at the start of the 2010 season, including career passing yards and touchdowns. But after throwing for a total of 636 passing yards and three touchdowns in three games, Keenum tore his ACL during the Cougars' third game of the season against UCLA.[24] The injury ended Keenum's season, and Houston finished 5–7.[25][26] Keenum earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Houston Bauer College of Business in December 2010.[5]

2011 season [ edit ]

On January 14, 2011, the NCAA granted Keenum a sixth year of eligibility.[27] Prior to the 2011 season, he was named the 2011 Conference USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year for the third year in a row. On October 27, 2011, Keenum set the all-time NCAA Division I passing touchdowns record by throwing for nine touchdowns against Rice.[28][29] Keenum also enrolled in the University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences studying for a master's degree in physical administration with a concentration on sports administration.[5] On November 19, 2011, Keenum set the record for career completions in a 37–7 win over SMU.[30] The Cougars had a record of 12–0 coming into the Conference USA Championship,[31] but were defeated by Southern Miss 49–28. Keenum completed 41 of 67 pass attempts for 373 yards through the air, two touchdown passes, and two interceptions.[32] After the loss, Houston played Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl, where they won 30–14. Keenum passed for 532 yards, and threw three touchdown passes.[33] In the 2011 season, he finished in 7th place in the Heisman Trophy voting.[34]

College career statistics [ edit ]

College Football Performance Award for 2009 at Keenum accepting thefor 2009 at Hofheinz Pavilion

Year Team Passing Rushing Cmp Att Yds TD Int Rtg Att Yds TD 2007 Houston 187 273 2,259 14 10 147.6 103 412 9 2008 Houston 397 589 5,020 44 11 159.9 76 221 7 2009 Houston 492 700 5,671 44 15 154.8 60 158 4 2010 Houston 42 64 636 5 5 159.3 4 71 0 2011 Houston 428 603 5,631 48 5 174.0 57 35 3 Totals 1,546 2,229 19,217 155 46 160.6 300 897 23

College awards [ edit ]

2× Sammy Baugh Trophy (2009, 2011) [35]

2× Conference USA Most Valuable Player (2009, 2011)

Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year (2008)

Conference USA Freshman of the Year (2007)

NCAA records [ edit ]

As of the end of the 2017 college football season, Keenum holds the following NCAA individual records:[36][37]

Most career pass completions: 1,546

Most career passing yards: 19,217

Most career passing touchdowns: 155

Most career games with 300+ passing yards: 39

Most games with 300+ passing yards in a single season: 14 (tied with Tulsa's Paul Smith)

Most seasons passing for 5,000+ yards: 3

Most seasons passing for 4,000+ yards: 3 (tied with four others)

Most career total yards: 20,114

Most career touchdowns responsible for: 178

Professional career [ edit ]

Pre-draft measurables Ht Wt Arm length Hand size 40-yard dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert jump Broad BP 6 ft 0 5⁄ 8 in

(1.84 m) 208 lb

(94 kg) 30 7⁄ 8 in

(0.78 m) 9 1⁄ 8 in

(0.23 m) 4.82 s 1.63 s 2.72 s 4.28 s 6.87 s 32.5 in

(0.83 m) 8 ft 7 in

(2.62 m) 18 reps Bench press, shuttle, and cone drill values are from Houston Pro Day;[38] all other values are from the NFL Combine[38][39]

Despite his success in college, Keenum went undrafted. He signed with the Houston Texans.[40]

Houston Texans [ edit ]

2012 season [ edit ]

After being signed as an undrafted free agent, Keenum was placed on the Texans practice squad, where he spent his entire rookie season.[41]

2013 season [ edit ]

In 2013, Keenum was placed on the Texans' 53-man roster as a third-string quarterback behind starter Matt Schaub and second string quarterback T. J. Yates.[42] On October 17, head coach Gary Kubiak announced that Keenum would be the starting quarterback over backup Yates in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday October 20, after starting quarterback Schaub was unable to play due to an injury.[43] In his pro debut on October 20, Keenum threw his first NFL touchdown, a 29-yarder to DeAndre Hopkins.[44] In the end, Keenum completed 15 of 25 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown, along with a 110.6 passer rating, the highest by a Texan quarterback in the season. Houston lost, 17–16.[45][46] On November 3, Keenum threw three passing touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts, all three to Andre Johnson in the first half. Keenum also had 350 passing yards and 26 rushing yards, despite the Texans losing 27–24.[47] Keenum was 0–8 as a starter for the Texans in 2013.[48]

St. Louis Rams [ edit ]

On August 31, 2014, Keenum was waived by the Texans to clear a roster space for recently acquired quarterback Ryan Mallett. He was claimed off waivers the next day by the St. Louis Rams. He was waived by the St. Louis Rams on October 28, 2014, in order to make room on the roster for newly acquired safety Mark Barron.[49] He re-signed to the team's practice squad on October 30.[50]

Houston Texans (second stint) [ edit ]

On December 15, 2014, Keenum was signed off the Rams practice squad back to the Houston Texans.[51] He filled a roster spot after starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick broke his left leg in a game against the Indianapolis Colts on December 14, 2014, and on December 21, 2014, he won his first NFL game beating the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 25–13.[52] On December 28, 2014, he won a second consecutive game with the Texans against the Jacksonville Jaguars 23–17.[53]

St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (second stint) [ edit ]

2015 season [ edit ]

On March 11, 2015, Keenum was acquired from the Texans for a 7th-round pick in 2016.[54] It was announced by head coach Jeff Fisher that Keenum would be the backup quarterback to recently acquired Nick Foles.[55] On November 16, the Rams named Keenum the starting quarterback after announcing they had benched Foles.[56]

Near the end of the Rams' week-11 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Keenum suffered a concussion that left him visibly wobbly but was not removed from the game for evaluation. This led to an investigation by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.[57]

Keenum recovered from the concussion and led the Rams to consecutive victories against the Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Seattle Seahawks. He recorded a Rams record near-"perfect game" against the Buccaneers, achieving a 158.0 passer rating by going 14 for 17 for 234 yards and two touchdowns in the last home game in the history of the St. Louis Rams.[58] Keenum finished the 2015 season (six games played, five as the starter) with 828 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception, with a 60.8% completion percentage.[59]

2016 season [ edit ]

On January 12, 2016, the Rams officially moved back to Los Angeles. It was announced via Fisher and GM Les Snead that Keenum would be the starting quarterback heading into training camp.[60] On April 18, 2016, Keenum signed a one-year first round restricted free-agent tender with the Los Angeles Rams.[61] On August 6, 2016, Keenum was named as the starter in the preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. After the preseason, Keenum began the regular season as the starting quarterback. After a 28-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the opener, he led the team to 3 straight wins over the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Arizona Cardinals.[62]

In week 6 at Detroit, Keenum went 27/32 with 321 yards, three touchdowns, an interception, a rushing touchdown, and set a team record with 19 consecutive completions. The Rams lost in a 31-28 shootout.[63] The following week against the Giants at Twickenham Stadium, Keenum was intercepted four times as the Giants won 17-10.[64] After the game, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher announced his decision to keep Keenum as starter.[65] On November 15, 2016, Keenum was benched for Jared Goff, who the Rams had taken with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.[66]

Minnesota Vikings [ edit ]

Keenum in 2017

On March 31, 2017, Keenum signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.[67] Due to an injury to Sam Bradford, Keenum started the Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, completing 20 of 37 passes for 167 yards in a 26–9 loss.[68] During Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Keenum threw for 369 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Vikings won by a score of 34–17.[69] In Weeks 4–7, Keenum averaged 196 yards with a total of two touchdowns and two interceptions, but a record of 3–1 over the span.[70] In Week 8 he had two touchdowns and 288 yards against the winless Cleveland Browns to enter the bye-week.[70] During Week 10 against the Washington Redskins, Keenum threw for 304 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions as the Vikings won their fifth straight game, 38–30.[71] In Week 11 against his former team, the Los Angeles Rams, Keenum threw for 280 yards and 1 touchdown, resulting in 6 straight games won. On Thanksgiving Day, during Week 12 against the Detroit Lions, Keenum finished with 282 passing yards and 2 touchdowns as the Vikings won 30–23. He was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November after passing for 866 yards with 7 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions.[72] In 15 games (14 starts) of 2017, Keenum finished with 3,547 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a passer rating of 98.3.[73]

The Vikings finished the 2017 season with a 13–3 record, clinching the NFC North Division.[74] In the NFC Divisional Round against the New Orleans Saints, Keenum finished with 318 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. With only 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Keenum threw a pass to Stefon Diggs, who ran 61 yards for the game-winning touchdown, giving the Vikings a miraculous 29–24 victory.[75] The next week the Vikings were defeated 38-7 by the eventual Super Bowl winners, the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Keenum's close friend and former Rams teammate Nick Foles.[76] Keenum became a free agent on March 14, 2018.[77]

Denver Broncos [ edit ]

On March 14, 2018, the Denver Broncos signed Keenum to a two-year, $36 million contract.[78] The signing reunited him with head coach Vance Joseph, who was the defensive backs coach during Keenum's first stint with the Texans, as well as senior personnel advisor Gary Kubiak, who was the Texans' head coach.[79] In his Broncos' debut in the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, Keenum had 329 passing yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in the 27–24 victory.[80] In Week 5, a 34–16 loss to the New York Jets, Keenum posted a career-high 377 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.[81] The Broncos finished the 2018 season with a 6–10 record as Keenum recorded a career-high 3,890 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.[82]

NFL statistics [ edit ]

Regular season [ edit ]

Year Team GP GS Passing Rushing Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD 2013 HOU 8 8 137 253 54.2 1,760 7.0 9 6 78.2 14 72 5.1 1 2014 HOU 2 2 45 77 58.4 435 5.6 2 2 72.2 10 35 3.5 0 2015 STL 6 5 76 125 60.8 828 6.6 4 1 87.7 12 5 0.4 0 2016 LAR 10 9 196 322 60.9 2,201 6.8 9 11 76.4 20 51 2.6 1 2017 MIN 15 14 325 481 67.6 3,547 7.4 22 7 98.3 40 160 4.0 1 2018 DEN 16 16 365 586 62.3 3,890 6.6 18 15 81.2 26 93 3.6 2 Totals 57 54 1,144 1,844 62.0 12,661 6.9 64 42 84.5 122 416 3.4 5

Source:[83]

Postseason [ edit ]

Year Team GP GS Passing Rushing Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD 2017 MIN 2 2 53 88 60.2 589 6.7 2 3 73.5 2 12 6.0 0 Career 2 2 53 88 60.2 589 6.7 2 3 73.5 2 12 6.0 0

Personal life [ edit ]

Born in Brownwood, Texas,[84] Keenum spent his childhood in Alpine, Texas for a few years until moving to Abilene, Texas, and is the son of Steve Keenum who served as an offensive lineman and later as head football coach and athletic director at McMurry University. The elder Keenum, known for an aggressive passing offensive strategy, was also head coach at Sul Ross State, offensive coordinator at Tarleton State, and offensive line coach at Hardin–Simmons.[85]

Keenum is a Christian, and after the Vikings' 2018 divisional playoff win said "giving his life to Jesus Christ" was the best moment of his life.[86] Keenum met Kimberly Caddell at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event while the pair were in high school. They married in June 2011.[87]

See also [ edit ]