2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jakobie Keeney-James, WR, University of Massachusetts

• Name: Jakobie Keeney-James
• Position: WR
• College: University of Massachusetts
• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 197 lbs.
• X (Twitter): @jakobiekjames
• Instagram: @jkj.x.11

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

One day my grandma forced me into a football camp, and at first I was being hard headed but after my first practice I fell in love with the game. Football has been there in my life since that moment, it’s more than a game to me, it’s my way of life.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My favorite moments from my football life was the off season workouts with my boys. The off season is my favorite because I get to transform into a better version of myself. By the time I get to the next season, people aren’t prepared for the new me.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Every football player has the goal of becoming a Hall of Famer. My goal is always is to make it to the hall of fame, but that’s not up to me to decide. So my main goal is to be the best receiver to ever play with my franchise. Which ever team that blesses me with an opportunity, I want to be there my whole career and stamp my legacy with their team and fan base.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

If I could hang out with one player past or present, I would choose Larry Fitzgerald. Talk about a man who stamped his legacy and was able to be apart of multiple playoff runs. I would take advantage of the opportunity and just hear his mindset and how he operates through a yearly basis.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My grandfather inspires me the most because of all he does for our family. Whenever someone needs anything, he is able to compartmentalize his own problems and help the person in need. He has impacted the city(Redlands) as a teacher, where he is known as one of the best middle schools teachers to be at cope middle school ever. He was drafted to the Army, and was deployed to Vietnam with no choice, but instead of complaining, he did the best to his ability and still become a better man after.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

My favorite offensive scheme is a spread offense. An offensive system similar to the Chiefs, where there is an emphasis on vertical passes with a combination of pre-snap movement to create miss matches. With my speed I am able to threaten defenses vertical but also have the ability to shut it down and get open. I believe that offense really matches my game.

What should we know about Jakobie Keeney-James the person?

Jakobie Keeney-James has a had a tough road to get it this far. I had a baby when I was 18 years old with no D1 scholarships, me and my fiancé Semirah were finding ways to prepare to be parents when we were just kids. Then last second, I was blessed with a scholarship to go play EWU, and then moved my fiancé and my son out to live with me. Down the road we had another baby, and then I ended up transferring to UMass across the country and had to leave my family to go chase my dreams. Without Semirah’s support, I wouldn’t be where I am today, she is in nursing school practically raising the kids by herself, most people would fold. I’m grateful to her and God for blessing me with everything I needed to get where I am today.

What stands out about your film the most?

What stands out about my film, is my ability to do everything at a high level. I consistently win the 1 on 1, also can beat any zone, and then win 50/50 balls as well. I take advantage of RAC opportunities, as well as constantly moving the sticks. Whatever team chooses me, I’ll be able to adjust to their scheme and really capitalize every opportunity I’m given.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I handle challenges by leaning on my faith, throughout my process I questioned many times if I should just get a job and focus on raising my kids. But when I prayed about it and told God to guide me, he always guided me back to the game. He never strays me away, and he put me through many challenges and obstacles but that was only to give me the strength to persevere and move forward.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A team’s getting a player that wants to win. I’m a competitor, I want to win at the highest level, I dream about holding up the Lombardi trophy. Whatever it takes to win is what I’m willing to do. If that means I need to play on special teams then that’s what I’m going to do, I’m willing to do it all, even if I got to lineup in the backfield. I love this game, and I want to win at the highest level.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

The thing I love about this game the most, is the rush I get when I lace them up and put those cleats on. All the thousands of hours spent on working for one moment, working towards one opportunity on any given Friday, Saturday, Sunday. That rush of the feeling of giving it everything you got for that day. I love doing my job and that feeling of making your teammates want to work that much harder for theirs. It’s more than a game to me.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

There’s a lot of good players I’ve had the opportunity to play with throughout my career, but there’s one guy who comes to my mind. His name is Jaquan Gibson, wide receiver for UMass. He has great athletic ability and works his ass off more than anyone you know. He’s going to the best receiver on that team coming up this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the best player on the team next year. Keep your eyes on him, I promise you, you won’t regret it.