Arizona picked up a verbal commitment from former Stanford outside linebacker Lance Keneley. Keneley announced his pledge to the Wildcats on his Instagram page Sunday afternoon.
In three seasons at Stanford, the 6-4, 250-pound Keneley had 67 tackles, eight stops for loss and 2.5 sacks in 31 games. Keneley started the first nine games last season, including Stanford's loss to Arizona.
Keneley was in during the play that resulted in former UA quarterback Jayden de Laura injuring his ankle on the Arizona sideline at the end of the third quarter, which then sparked the start of the Noah Fifita era for the program.
Arizona defensive coordinator Duane Akina was the defensive backs coach at Stanford during Keneley's first two seasons in Palo Alto in 2021 and '22.
As a three-star recruit at Mission Viejo High School in California, Keneley signed with the Cardinal over Washington, Utah, Oregon State, UCLA, Colorado and Arizona State, among others. Keneley was rated by 247Sports.com as the 55th-best prospect in California for the 2020 recruiting cycle.
Keneley adds depth to Arizona's edge-rushing unit, which lost several players to graduation and the transfer portal. The Wildcats lost starters Taylor Upshaw and Isaiah Ward, in addition to rotational figures in Russell Davis II and Orin Patu, among others.
The Wildcats added former San Jose State star and All-Mountain West defensive end Tre Smith, Chase Kennedy (Utah) and Jarra Anderson (Memphis) through the transfer portal. Notable returning edge rushers for this upcoming season include Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei, who can also play defensive tackle, Sterling Lane II, Tristan Davis and Dominic Lolesio.
Arizona kicks off the 2024 season against New Mexico on Aug. 31 at Arizona Stadium.
