Saints News

An inspirational story could bring underrated talent to the New Orleans receiving corps.

By Bob Rose

The New Orleans Saints have one of the best young wide receivers in the league in Michael Thomas. The rest of the Saints wideouts, however, struggled at times a year ago. Veteran Ted Ginn Jr. had one of the best years of his career in his first season as a Saint, but Brandon Coleman, Willie Snead, and Tommylee Lewis were inconsistent in their production. Snead departed as a free agent this past offseason, but New Orleans signed productive wideout Cameron Meredith away from the Chicago Bears, then used a 3rd round pick on Central Florida's Tre'quan Smith. One other name to look for as a potential contributor in 2018 is the subject of today's undrafted rookie profile.

Keith Kirkwood, WR (Temple)

Kirkwood, like many players, began playing football as a young boy, but basketball was his first love. He led his Neptune High School basketball team to the New Jersey state finals as a junior. He then returned to the gridiron his senior season, earning a scholarship offer to the University of Hawaii, where he scored 4 touchdowns on 12 catches in seven games with the Rainbow Warriors. He left Hawaii after his freshman year, enrolling with Temple after the death of a close friend, and also wanting to be closer to his daughter Aria. Kirkwood received a medical redshirt in 2015, then blossomed into a team leader over his final two seasons. Balancing the responsibilities of a father, as well as the demands of college football, Kirkwood was still a standout in the classroom, making the American Athletic Conference All-Academic team three years in a row. He was given a single digit number in his senior year (#5), traditionally given to players at Temple for exceptional character and leadership. He excelled on the football field as well, catching 87 passes for 1,319 yards and 11 touchdowns over his final two years with the Owls.

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