Difference between revisions of "Tana Keïta"
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* [[Orange County Otters]] ({{nsfly|13}}-{{nsfly|15}}) | * [[Orange County Otters]] ({{nsfly|13}}-{{nsfly|15}}) | ||
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| − | | status = | + | | status = Retired <!-- only other option here should be Retired --> |
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| − | '''Tana Keïta''' (born June 19, 2001) is a retired [[wp:American football|American football]] [[wp:Linebacker|linebacker]] who played for the [[Tijuana Luchadores]] in the DSFL and the [[New Orleans Second Line]] and [[Orange County Otters]] in the NSFL (now ISFL). He won an Ultimini championship with Tijuana as a player in {{dsfly|10}} and four as a coach in {{dsfly|16}},{{dsfly|17}},{{dsfly|20}}and {{dsfly|23}}. He won an Ultimus championship with NOLA in {{nsfly|11}}. He has been inducted into the Tijuana ring of honour. | + | '''Tana Keïta''' (born June 19, 2001) is a retired [[wp:American football|American football]] [[wp:Linebacker|linebacker]] who played for the [[Tijuana Luchadores]] in the DSFL and the [[New Orleans Second Line]] and [[Orange County Otters]] in the NSFL (now ISFL). He won an Ultimini championship with Tijuana as a player in {{dsfly|10}} and four as a coach in {{dsfly|16}},{{dsfly|17}},{{dsfly|20}} and {{dsfly|23}}. He won an Ultimus championship with NOLA in {{nsfly|11}}. He has been inducted into the Tijuana ring of honour. |
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==College career== | ==College career== | ||
| − | Coming out of Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Keïta was a five star recruit. He became a part of a revered defense at Ohio State | + | Coming out of Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Keïta was a five star recruit. He became a part of a revered defense at Ohio State in his four years there with many teammates being drafted to professional leagues. He did not see much of the field in his freshman year. Keïta had 95 solo tackles in his sophomore year, although had to sit out most of his junior year with a ACL and MCL tear on his right knee. He lead the country in tackles the next season with 114, add three sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and five pass deflections to that in his senior year. He graduated after 4 years with a degree in criminal justice. |
| − | He did not see much of the field in his freshman year. Keïta had 95 | ||
==Professional career== | ==Professional career== | ||
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With his draft stock rising after a stellar rookie season Tana Keita declared for the {{nsfly|11|draft-full|s=no}}. | With his draft stock rising after a stellar rookie season Tana Keita declared for the {{nsfly|11|draft-full|s=no}}. | ||
===NSFL career=== | ===NSFL career=== | ||
| − | Keita was drafted in the first round, sixth overall, by the New Orleans Second Line. They had split the past two Ultimus championships with the Baltimore Hawks, and were coming off a loss in {{nsfly|10}}. Keita would be joining an elite NOLA defense, lining up beside future hall of famers [[Brian Mills]] and [[Julian O'Sullivan]] at linebacker, along with a secondary that included [[Blackford Oakes]], [[Benson Bayley]], [[Vladimir Fyodorovich]], and [[William Harrison]] all of which would | + | Keita was drafted in the first round, sixth overall, by the New Orleans Second Line. They had split the past two Ultimus championships with the Baltimore Hawks, and were coming off a loss in {{nsfly|10}}. Keita would be joining an elite NOLA defense, lining up beside future hall of famers [[Brian Mills]] and [[Julian O'Sullivan]] at linebacker, along with a secondary that included [[Blackford Oakes]], [[Benson Bayley]], [[Vladimir Fyodorovich]], and [[William Harrison]] all of which would make it to the hall of fame as well. This defense contributed to a league best 11-3 record, giving New Orleans home field advantage for the ASFC championship against Orange County. Keita once again showed he loved the big games, getting a sack and an interception on the way to a 40-13 win. The Ultimus championship would be one for the ages when New Orleans once again faced Baltimore. After four lead changes the teams were tied in regular time, a [[Darren Smallwood]] touchdown in overtime would give the Second Line the victory. Keita shone in the spotlight in his second title game in as many years with another defensive player of the game performance with 10 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovered. |
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| + | New Orleans had made the past four Ultimus championship games and won two of them but their core players were starting to get older, some had retired and others were moving on as the NOLA championship window started to close. This resulted in a Ultimus hangover year in {{nsfly|12}} where the Second Line only managed a 4-10 record. Things improved slightly in {{nsfly|13}} with two more wins to make it to 6-8 but that still wasn't enough to make the playoffs. 2028 was one of Keita's best years statistically, most noticeably in tackles with 134 which was one behind the league leader. After the 2028 season Keita's rookie contract was up and a few teams were interested in signing the linebacker. This included Baltimore, who had recently signed Blackford Oakes and Brian Mills, close friends of Keita's from their time together in NOLA. Also interested was Orange County, who's manager was another close friend. Not wanting to leave New Orleans with nothing a sign and trade was organised where Orange County would send a fourth and eighth round pick to New Orleans in the {{nsfly|15|draft-full|s=no}}, and Keita would become an Otter. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Otters would be entering {{nsfly|14}} as back to back Ultimus champions, and looked to make it back there after finishing the season 11-3, tied with Baltimore for top of the league. Both sides would be upset in the conference finals however, the San Jose SaberCats beating Orange County in the ASFC championship and going on to win the Ultimus. With eight tackles and one pass deflected Keita was uncharacteristically quiet in the playoffs. | ||
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| + | In {{nsfly|15}} Orange County did not look their usual dominant self, finishing at 8-6, but still doing enough to make it to the playoffs. In the ASFC championship game against San Jose Keita recorded five tackles and one TFL before having to leave the eventual 37-17 loss in the fourth quarter with a serious knee injury sustained while making a touchdown saving tackle. This would be his last game in his professional career as it was later revealed he had torn the ACL, MCL, and meniscus of the same right knee he had injured in college. The SaberCats lost to the Hawks in the 2030 Ultimus in a blowout 49-0 game. | ||
===Professional career statistics=== | ===Professional career statistics=== | ||
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| − | | {{nsfly| | + | | {{nsfly|15}} <!-- Change nsfly to dsfly if this season was played in the DSFL, change number to season played in --> |
| {{ts|OCO}} <!-- Replace with the relevant team abbreviation (BAL, ARI, COL, YKW, NOLA, SJS, OCO, PHI, AUS, CHI, HON, SAR, TIJ, POR, KCC, MIN, DBD, LON, NOR, PB, MBB) --> | | {{ts|OCO}} <!-- Replace with the relevant team abbreviation (BAL, ARI, COL, YKW, NOLA, SJS, OCO, PHI, AUS, CHI, HON, SAR, TIJ, POR, KCC, MIN, DBD, LON, NOR, PB, MBB) --> | ||
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| + | ===Post football career=== | ||
| + | After rehabbing his career ending injury Tana Keita returned to the Tijuana Luchadores as a linebackers coach, working with former teammate and friend Brian Mills who was the defensive coordinator. He won four Ultimini championships as a coach and was inducted to the Luchadores ring of honour. | ||
| + | Keita has since retired to Mexico City, where he lives with his wife and three kids. | ||
==Achievements and records== | ==Achievements and records== | ||
Come back to this later | Come back to this later | ||
Latest revision as of 02:32, 5 May 2024
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| No. 53 – Retired | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | June 19, 2001 (aged 61) Cleveland, Ohio, USA |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Saint Ignatius High School |
| College: | Ohio State |
| ISFL Draft: | 2026 ISFL Draft / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 |
| DSFL Draft: | 2025 (S10) / Round: 2 / Pick: 8 |
| Career history | |
| Roster status: | Retired |
Tana Keïta (born June 19, 2001) is a retired American football linebacker who played for the Tijuana Luchadores in the DSFL and the New Orleans Second Line and Orange County Otters in the NSFL (now ISFL). He won an Ultimini championship with Tijuana as a player in 2025 (S10) and four as a coach in 2031 (S16),2032 (S17),2035 (S20) and 2038 (S23). He won an Ultimus championship with NOLA in 2026 (S11). He has been inducted into the Tijuana ring of honour.
Contents
Early years
Tana Keïta was named after his maternal grandfather who was a Guinean immigrant to the United States. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and attended Saint Ignatius High School. He was a very reserved boy who didn’t spend a lot of time away from home except for school and football. His High School coach said of him;
“Tana leads by example. He is not a big talker. He just gets in there and does his job every day and makes everybody around him better.”
His situation at home grew worse and worse throughout his time in High School. An abusive father who eventually left the family made it necessary for Tana to be at home as often as possible to look after both his siblings and his mother. He would often be sporting bruises he had not suffered in a football game due to protecting his mother from being hurt. His three younger siblings all looked up to him as he had been a father figure to them after not having one himself. His grades at school were adequate although nothing special, but on the football field was where he really shined. As the Mike Linebacker and leader of the defense he took his school to the State Championship game held at Ohio Stadium (The Horseshoe) in Columbus, Ohio. There they would face Cincinnati St. Xavier.
Tana had 14 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks although his team ultimately ended up losing the game in over time. It was a heartbreaking loss for the team and for Tana’s family as they had travelled to watch his final game at the High School level.
This would not be his last game at The Horseshoe though. Tana decided to commit to The Ohio State University in order to remain close to home, after receiving offers from many schools across the country including Notre Dame, Penn State, Ole Miss, Clemson and Oklahoma. Tana was named Second Team All American coming out of High School.
College career
Coming out of Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Keïta was a five star recruit. He became a part of a revered defense at Ohio State in his four years there with many teammates being drafted to professional leagues. He did not see much of the field in his freshman year. Keïta had 95 solo tackles in his sophomore year, although had to sit out most of his junior year with a ACL and MCL tear on his right knee. He lead the country in tackles the next season with 114, add three sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, and five pass deflections to that in his senior year. He graduated after 4 years with a degree in criminal justice.
Professional career
EFL career
Keïta played four seasons for the Buckeyes before declaring for the 2024 EFL draft. He went undrafted due to a perceived lack of commitment to the sport and was picked up as an UDFA by the San Antonio Wolfpack although he never saw the field for the side. The Wolfpack released him before the 2025 season
DSFL career
After a few months of working out with the Tijuana Luchadores, Keïta declared for the 2025 (S10) DSFL draft. He was drafted in the second round, 8th overall by the reigning champions Tijuana. Keita immediately made an impact on the team, being voted defensive captain in his rookie season.
The Luchadores lead the league with a 10-4 record and stormed in to the playoffs beating the San Antonio Marshalls 34-3 in the SFC championship game. The Ultimini championship game would be a rematch of the year prior with Tijuana facing the Portland Pythons. Keita showed up for the big game with a defensive player of the game performance including 9 tackles and one sack. The 37-7 victory meant that Tijuana had threepeated, a feat that had never been achieved before and has never been replicated since.
With his draft stock rising after a stellar rookie season Tana Keita declared for the 2026 ISFL Draft .
NSFL career
Keita was drafted in the first round, sixth overall, by the New Orleans Second Line. They had split the past two Ultimus championships with the Baltimore Hawks, and were coming off a loss in 2025 (S10). Keita would be joining an elite NOLA defense, lining up beside future hall of famers Brian Mills and Julian O'Sullivan at linebacker, along with a secondary that included Blackford Oakes, Benson Bayley, Vladimir Fyodorovich, and William Harrison all of which would make it to the hall of fame as well. This defense contributed to a league best 11-3 record, giving New Orleans home field advantage for the ASFC championship against Orange County. Keita once again showed he loved the big games, getting a sack and an interception on the way to a 40-13 win. The Ultimus championship would be one for the ages when New Orleans once again faced Baltimore. After four lead changes the teams were tied in regular time, a Darren Smallwood touchdown in overtime would give the Second Line the victory. Keita shone in the spotlight in his second title game in as many years with another defensive player of the game performance with 10 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovered.
New Orleans had made the past four Ultimus championship games and won two of them but their core players were starting to get older, some had retired and others were moving on as the NOLA championship window started to close. This resulted in a Ultimus hangover year in 2027 (S12) where the Second Line only managed a 4-10 record. Things improved slightly in 2028 (S13) with two more wins to make it to 6-8 but that still wasn't enough to make the playoffs. 2028 was one of Keita's best years statistically, most noticeably in tackles with 134 which was one behind the league leader. After the 2028 season Keita's rookie contract was up and a few teams were interested in signing the linebacker. This included Baltimore, who had recently signed Blackford Oakes and Brian Mills, close friends of Keita's from their time together in NOLA. Also interested was Orange County, who's manager was another close friend. Not wanting to leave New Orleans with nothing a sign and trade was organised where Orange County would send a fourth and eighth round pick to New Orleans in the 2030 ISFL Draft , and Keita would become an Otter.
The Otters would be entering 2029 (S14) as back to back Ultimus champions, and looked to make it back there after finishing the season 11-3, tied with Baltimore for top of the league. Both sides would be upset in the conference finals however, the San Jose SaberCats beating Orange County in the ASFC championship and going on to win the Ultimus. With eight tackles and one pass deflected Keita was uncharacteristically quiet in the playoffs.
In 2030 (S15) Orange County did not look their usual dominant self, finishing at 8-6, but still doing enough to make it to the playoffs. In the ASFC championship game against San Jose Keita recorded five tackles and one TFL before having to leave the eventual 37-17 loss in the fourth quarter with a serious knee injury sustained while making a touchdown saving tackle. This would be his last game in his professional career as it was later revealed he had torn the ACL, MCL, and meniscus of the same right knee he had injured in college. The SaberCats lost to the Hawks in the 2030 Ultimus in a blowout 49-0 game.
Professional career statistics
| Career statistics | Defense | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Games | Tck | TFL | FF/FR | Sck | Int | PD | Sfty | TD | Blk P/XP/FG |
| 2025 (S10) | Luchadores | 14 | 101 | 5 | 0/1 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0/0/0 |
| 2026 (S11) | Second Line | 14 | 87 | 0 | 1/1 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0/0/0 |
| 2027 (S12) | Second Line | 14 | 91 | 1 | 1/2 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0/0/0 |
| 2028 (S13) | Second Line | 14 | 134 | 6 | 2/1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0/0/0 |
| 2029 (S14) | Otters | 14 | 91 | 5 | 1/1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0/0/0 |
| 2030 (S15) | Otters | 14 | 71 | 0 | 1/0 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0/0/0 |
Post football career
After rehabbing his career ending injury Tana Keita returned to the Tijuana Luchadores as a linebackers coach, working with former teammate and friend Brian Mills who was the defensive coordinator. He won four Ultimini championships as a coach and was inducted to the Luchadores ring of honour.
Keita has since retired to Mexico City, where he lives with his wife and three kids.
Achievements and records
Come back to this later
