Keene attended Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona.[2] As a junior, he recorded 193 completions for 2,835 yards and 23 touchdowns.[3] In his senior season, he threw for 2,069 yards and 22 touchdowns on 154 completions, leading Chandler to a state championship.[4] As a three-star recruit, Keene committed to play college football at the University of Central Florida (UCF).[5]
College career
University of Central Florida
In 2021, Keene enrolled at the University of Central Florida and was the UCF Knights backup to Dillon Gabriel. After an injury to Gabriel, Keene became the starter as a true freshman.[6][7] He made ten starts, totaling 1,730 yards and 18 total touchdowns.[8] Keene threw for 144 yards and one touchdown in the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl, leading UCF to a 29–17 over Florida.[9] In 2022, Keene was the Knights backup to John Rhys Plumlee, where he would only appear in four games. He finished the season with 647 yards and six touchdowns, before entering the NCAA transfer portal.[10][11]
Fresno State
On December 21, 2022, Keene announced his decision to transfer to Fresno State.[12] In 2023, he entered the season as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback.[13] In the season opener against Purdue, Keene threw for four touchdowns and 366 yards, leading Fresno State to a 39–35 victory.[14][15] Against Arizona State, Keene threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns, leading Fresno State to a 29–0 shutout win.[16] Keene led Fresno State to a 9–4 record and a 37–10 victory in the 2023 New Mexico Bowl. In the New Mexico Bowl, he threw for a career-high 380 yards and recorded four total touchdowns, being named the game's offensive MVP.[17][18][19] Keene finished the season throwing for 2,976 yards and 24 touchdowns.
In 2024, Keene opened the season playing his future team the next year, the Michigan Wolverines. He completed 22 of 36 passes for 238 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions (including a pick-six by Will Johnson).[20] In total for the season, he threw for 2,892 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Following the season, he entered the transfer portal for a second time in his career.[21][22]
University of Michigan
On December 23, 2024, Keene transferred to the University of Michigan for his fifth and final season of college football in 2025, playing under head coach Sherrone Moore.[23] He reunited with Michigan’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey, both at UCF in 2022.[24] Keene will compete with sophomore Jadyn Davis and the nation’s No. 1 overall ranked high school recruit, incoming freshman Bryce Underwood.[25]
