| File:Dustin Keller.JPG Keller in the 2011 NFL season. | |
| No. 81 Miami Dolphins | |
| Tight end | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: September 25, 1984 | |
| Place of birth: Lafayette, Indiana | |
| High School: Lafayette (IN) Jefferson | |
| Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Weight: 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College: Purdue | |
| NFL Draft: 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 30 | |
| Debuted in 2008 for the New York Jets | |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: Active | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2012 | |
| Receptions | 241 |
| Receiving Yards | 2,876 |
| Receiving Average | 11.9 |
| Touchdowns | 17 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Dustin Kendall Keller (born September 25, 1984) is an American football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He played college football at Purdue. The New York Jets drafted him in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft with the 30th overall pick.
Early years[]
He played high school football at Jefferson High School in Lafayette, Indiana. While at Jefferson, Dustin was a three sport standout in football, basketball, and track. During his senior year at Lafayette Jefferson High School he was the state's leading wide receiver in football with 114 Receptions in 2002, was second team All-State as a small forward in basketball, and he was the high jump state champion in Indiana, clearing 6'9" in a steady rain after coming second to Philadelphia 76er's Rodney Carney with a jump of 6'10". Keller was named one of top 50 receivers in nation by Street & Smith's and first team all-state as senior after setting state records with 113 receptions and 1,804 yards (16.0 average) with 22 touchdowns. He was a finalist for Mr. Football.[1]
Keller was expected to sign with the University of Toledo and had actually verbally committed. Purdue's then-head coach Joe Tiller went to Keller's high school to attain Keller's cell phone number. Tiller called Keller shortly after and scheduled a meeting in Tiller's office. Tiller offered Purdue's last scholarship. Being Dustin's hometown school, Keller chose Purdue over Toledo.
During his freshman year at Purdue, Keller red-shirted and switched from wide receiver to tight end. After a year of watching, learning, and getting stronger, Dustin began to display his strength and athleticism. After two touchdowns in his redshirt freshman year, including a game-winning touchdown against powerhouse Ohio State, Keller earned the full-time starting job in his redshirt sophomore year. Keller's production increased each season. So much so, that his senior season at Purdue he was voted Most Valuable Offensive Player in the Motor City Bowl. In addition, his teammates voted him Purdue's Most Valuable Player that same season.
Professional career[]
Pre-draft[]
Keller was nothing short of electrifying at the 2008 NFL Combine. He placed first in four out of the seven events and second in two of the seven. This performance dramatically improved his draft position.
| Ht | Wt | 40-yd dash | 10-yd split | 20-yd split | 20-ss | 3-cone | Vert | Broad | BP | Wonderlic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 2 in | 242 lb | 4.53 s | 1.62 s | 2.65 s | 4.14 s | 6.88 s | 38.5 in | 10 ft 11 in | 26 rep |
New York Jets[]
Keller was drafted by the New York Jets 30th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. On July 18, 2008 he signed a 5 year 12 million dollar contract with the Jets. Keller was slowly phased into the offense alongside the veteran quarterback Brett Favre. Keller finished a strong rookie season with 48 receptions, 535 yards and 3 touchdowns.
In his second season, 2009, Keller finished with 2 touchdowns and 522 yards on 45 receptions.
Keller led the Jets in receptions (55) in 2010. In 2011 he again led the jets in receptions (65) for 815 yards and 5 touchdowns.
After not missing a game or a practice in his first four years in the NFL, a pulled groin and high ankle sprain hindered Keller's production in the 2012 regular season, limiting him to 28 receptions for 317 yards and two touchdowns in only 8 games.
Miami Dolphins[]
Keller signed with the Miami Dolphins on March 15, 2013.[4]
Professional statistics[]
| Year | Team | G | GS | Rec | Yards | AVG | Lng | TD |
| 2008 | NYJ | 16 | 6 | 48 | 535 | 11.1 | 54 | 3 |
| 2009 | NYJ | 16 | 12 | 45 | 522 | 11.6 | 40 | 2 |
| 2010 | NYJ | 16 | 13 | 55 | 687 | 12.5 | 41 | 5 |
| 2011 | NYJ | 16 | 12 | 65 | 815 | 12.5 | 41 | 5 |
| 2012 | NYJ | 8 | 5 | 28 | 317 | 11.3 | 32 | 2 |
| Tot. | N/A | 72 | 48 | 241 | 2876 | 11.9 | 54 | 17 |
References[]
- ↑ "Purdue Player Bio: Dustin Keller".
- ↑ "2008 TE Draft Prospects", CBSSports.com (CBS Sports), 2008, archived from the original on November 6, 2010, http://www.webcitation.org/5u2rjM8aO, retrieved November 6, 2010
- ↑ "2008 NFL Combine Top Performers". http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#year=2008&workout=VERTICAL_JUMP&position=TE-SPEC. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
- ↑ Miami Dolphins sign Dustin Keller
External links[]
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