Eagles select Trevor Keegan with the 172nd overall pick

Trevor Keegan, a guard who was chosen by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, No. 172 overall, out of Michigan, stood out on the offensive line from his first snap.

The first freshman in Crystal Lake (IL) South High School history to start on varsity, he showed why after earning 2015 Freshman All-American honors as a left guard. Moving to left tackle as a sophomore, he was named All-Conference for the first of three consecutive seasons.

During his junior year, more than 100 college programs made their way to Crystal Lake, 50 miles northwest of Chicago, to recruit Keegan. He says he chose Michigan because of its tradition and coaches. And the fact that his mom, Amanda, was raised in Ann Arbor may have been a factor, too.

“I think Michigan alone sets itself apart from everyone else. Especially with (former Michigan head) Coach (Jim) Harbaugh there,” said Keegan, who was wearing an Eagles DeSean Jackson jersey that he’s had since sixth grade during his virtual conference call with reporters after being drafted. “We had an NFL-type schedule. It was a business. When you’re there at Michigan you get the coaching, you get the training. It’s a first-class program that we had. Our coaches did a great job preparing us. I feel like our scheme is an NFL scheme and it made my job very easy learning installs on these Zooms and things like that.

“Very similar communication and calls, so I think Michigan just sets you apart. Like you said, the competition, we played everybody. I’ve been able to play Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Penn State. Really excited for this opportunity and I know these guys are all freaks in the NFL and continue to work my butt off. I’m just really excited for this opportunity. I can’t wait to be in Philly.”

After redshirting as a freshman and only playing in five games as a backup and on special teams in 2020, the 6′ 5 3/8″ and 310-pound Keegan contemplated transferring. He, however, stayed the course and became a physical, blue-collar mainstay at left guard.

“I had to make some changes in my game, study the playbook in and out, and do everything possible to get on the field,” Keegan said. “I’m so eternally grateful that I decided to stay. Man, when you stay and stick to it and you tend to your work and work in the dark, you are going to shine in the light. That’s exactly what happened. I couldn’t be more grateful for my five years at Michigan.”

A two-time All-Big Ten honoree,…