Western Illinois cornerback Don Paul Keith (12) also competed in track for the Leathernecks during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. (Photo by GoLeathernecks.com)
By Dan Verdun
MACOMB – Last Saturday, cornerback Don Paul Keith played in the Western Illinois spring football game.
This weekend, the versatile athlete will compete for the Leathernecks in a track meet at the University of Iowa.
Keith, a sophomore from River Rouge, Mich., has the blessing of WIU head football coach Joe Davis.
“Don Paul was an exceptional track athlete,” Davis told Prairie State Pigskin. “He came to me this spring and said, ‘Hey, Coach, I have the itch. I want to run track.’”
Thus, Keith and Davis sat down and came up with a plan that included Western track coach Matt Rosado.
“Don Paul is a good student, so he checked that box first,” Davis said. “Then we really looked at the track schedule and said, ‘How can we make this work for you? I know you love track and I want you to enjoy your college experience.’”
When the plan was finalized, Keith participated in some track practices and meets.
While the Leatherneck track team generally works out in the mid-afternoon, Keith operated on an altered schedule that meant full days of academics and athletics.
“I went to (football) position meetings in the morning and then track at noon instead of the regular 2:30 or 3 o’clock practice for them,” Keith said, “then, it was football practice.”
“To his credit, he did not miss one football workout, whether that’s a practice or a meeting,” Davis said. “He works the track schedule around it, and he’s been productive for them.”
On the track, Keith is competing in the sprint events.
“It was the 60(-meter dash) and 200 indoors and the 100 and 200 outdoors,” he said.
While competing in track helped Keith satisfy a desire to compete, he is expected to play a key role this fall.
“Don Paul is right along the lines of where he should be with development,” said Davis. “As I said at the end of last year, at any level of football, to be a starting cornerback as a freshman, you’re going to get picked on.
“People are going to try to take advantage of you and take shots on you. He saw that all last year and held his own. He was in good position and is extremely fast and quick.”
Keith played in all 12 games last season. He registered 26 tackles, while breaking up seven passes and grabbing an interception.
Davis recalled a key play in last fall’s 24-21 comeback victory against Lindenwood in which Keith recovered a muffed punt that led to Western’s winning touchdown in the game’s final minutes. He earned OVC-Big South Co-Freshman of the Week honors for that performance.
“He’s an excellent gunner on the punt team,” Davis said. “Amongst a very talented Class of ‘25 group, Don Paul is a guy we expect to take a big jump this fall.”
Keith said he continues to work on improving his technique with the help of WIU cornerbacks coach Elven Walker IV, a former football and track standout in his own right at Eastern Illinois. Walker played on two EIU playoff football teams and was a hurdler on two Panther conference indoor championship track teams.
Keith said that track has helped him with his footspeed and reaction time.
“I have better acceleration when I come out of the break (on the football) and keeping up with a receiver when he makes a move and releases,” he said.
Yet, there’s also the mental side of game.
“I need to get my focus on the right things pre-play,” Keith said.
While Davis certainly wants to see Keith show improvement, the third-year WIU coach also sees the bigger picture.
“Having these kids have a positive college experience is important to me, and if track is part of Don Paul’s equation, so be it,” Davis said.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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