The second major award presented at the postseason banquet was the Abe
Rosenbloom ’34 Most Outstanding Offensive or Defensive Lineman Award. This year
the award was won by defensive end Jeff Keele. Keele, a junior this past
season, took a major step forward both as a defender and as a leader this year.
The award is
name after Abe Rosenbloom ’34 who was an outstanding offensive lineman during
his time as a Pioneer, when Grinnell still played in the Missouri Valley Conference. He was undersized, especially
against players from the likes of Nebraska and Oklahoma, but he held his own.
The game field is now named after him, and we have honored his name since
1997 with the most valuable offensive or defensive lineman award. Notable
previous winners include Mark Trocinski (all-american), Matt Amendt (school
record holder with 19 sacks in a season), and Sam Jones (4 time all
conference).
Keele
finished the 2017 season with 56 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1
forced fumble and 1 fumble recovered. During the second half of the season Keele also saw his role on the team expanded to include some time at tight end. By the final game he was playing nearly the entire game, and recorded one reception for 14 yards and a first down, and one carry for 28 yards and another first down. We are expecting big things from the two-time captain, continuing to lead the defense and to play a big role in all three phases. Keep up the good work Keele!
