Keaton Kristick
Encyclopedia
Keaton Kristick is an American football
linebacker
who is currently a free agent
. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers
as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football
for the Oregon State Beavers
at Oregon State University
.
to parents Kevin and Karie Kristick. His father played free safety at Northern Illinois
in 1977 and 1978. His uncle, Dave Kristick, played linebacker for Army
during the 1970s. The Kristick's originally resided in the Chicago area before returning to their roots in the East Bay (Martinez, Clayton & Danville), and eventually Arizona.
Keaton attended St. Mary's High School
in Phoenix, Arizona
. He served as the president of the St. Mary's Young Republicans
. Kristick played football there for three years as a running back
and linebacker
, and was the team's leading rusher
and tackler
each year. As a junior, he set an Arizona state record with a 99-yard touchdown run. As a senior, he scored 18 rushing touchdown
s and one receiving touchdown, which made him the leading scorer in the Desert Valley Conference. That season, he was named a first-team All-Arizona Republic
player, 5A All-State player, first-team all-region linebacker, and first-team all-region running back. He was also honored as the team's most valuable player
and the region's defensive player of the year. Rivals.com
named him the seventh-best prospect in the state of Arizona. He was evaluated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and a two-star prospect by Scout.com
.
for the family atmosphere, his "relationships with the coaches and the chance to play in the Pac-10 Conference", where he majored in business. As a true freshman in 2006
, he saw some action as a back-up linebacker and in a special teams role and recorded 17 tackles. He forced a fumble against Hawaii
quarterback Colt Brennan
, and recovered a fumble from Stanford
quarterback T.C. Ostrander, which set up an Oregon State touchdown. In 2007
, he saw action in all 13 games and recorded 15 tackles.
In 2008
, he started in all 13 games and finished the season as the team's second-leading tackler with 85 tackles including 14 for loss and 3.5 quarterback sack
s, and four passes broken up. He ranked second on the team and eighth in the Pacific 10 Conference in terms of tackles for loss. In the upset win against USC
, Kristick compiled a career-high of ten tackles including two for losses of yardage and one quarterback sack. He was named to the All-Pac 10 second team.
Keaton was named a consensus 1st team All-Pac 10 linebacker in 2009 and led his team in tackles with 95 including 8.5 for loss, two INT's and seven passes broken up as a strongside LB.
Prior to the 2009 season
, he was added to the Lott Trophy
and Bednarik Award watch lists. ESPN
analyst Ted Miller rated him the 19th-ranked player in the Pac 10. College Football News
named him to their "120 Players To Know".
, but was signed by the San Francisco 49ers
shortly after as a free agent.
On September 4, 2011, he was waived by the 49ers.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State Beavers football
The Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in NCAA Division I-A college football. The team first fielded an organized football team in 1893 and is currently a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. The head coach is Mike Riley, with Danny Langsdorf as the offensive...
at Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
.
Early life
He was born in Naperville, IllinoisNaperville, Illinois
Naperville is a city in DuPage and Will Counties in Illinois in the United States, voted the second best place to live in the United States by Money Magazine in 2006. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 141,853. It is the fifth largest city in the state, behind Chicago,...
to parents Kevin and Karie Kristick. His father played free safety at Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois Huskies football
The Northern Illinois Huskies football team represents Northern Illinois University in the Mid-American Conference of the NCAA's Division I-Football Bowl Subdivision.-History:...
in 1977 and 1978. His uncle, Dave Kristick, played linebacker for Army
Army Black Knights football
The Army Black Knights football program represents the United States Military Academy. Army was recognized as the national champions in 1944, 1945 and 1946....
during the 1970s. The Kristick's originally resided in the Chicago area before returning to their roots in the East Bay (Martinez, Clayton & Danville), and eventually Arizona.
Keaton attended St. Mary's High School
St. Mary's High School (Phoenix, Arizona)
St. Mary's Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Phoenix, Arizona. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.-History:...
in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. He served as the president of the St. Mary's Young Republicans
Young Republicans
The Young Republicans is an organization for members of the Republican Party of the United States between the ages of 18 and 40. It has both a national organization and chapters in individual states....
. Kristick played football there for three years as a running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
and linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, and was the team's leading rusher
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
and tackler
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
each year. As a junior, he set an Arizona state record with a 99-yard touchdown run. As a senior, he scored 18 rushing touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s and one receiving touchdown, which made him the leading scorer in the Desert Valley Conference. That season, he was named a first-team All-Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic
The Arizona Republic is a daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain. It was ranked tenth in US daily newspapers by circulation in 2007.-Early years:The newspaper was founded...
player, 5A All-State player, first-team all-region linebacker, and first-team all-region running back. He was also honored as the team's most valuable player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
and the region's defensive player of the year. Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
named him the seventh-best prospect in the state of Arizona. He was evaluated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and a two-star prospect by Scout.com
Scout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
.
College career
Keaton chose to attend Oregon State UniversityOregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
for the family atmosphere, his "relationships with the coaches and the chance to play in the Pac-10 Conference", where he majored in business. As a true freshman in 2006
2006 Oregon State Beavers football team
The 2006 Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in the college football season of 2006-2007. The team's head coach is Mike Riley, with home games being played at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon.-The upset:...
, he saw some action as a back-up linebacker and in a special teams role and recorded 17 tackles. He forced a fumble against Hawaii
2006 Hawaii Warriors football team
The 2006 Hawaii Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the 2006 NCAA Division I-Bowl Subdivision college football season...
quarterback Colt Brennan
Colt Brennan
Colton "Colt" James Brennan is an American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Hawaii....
, and recovered a fumble from Stanford
2006 Stanford Cardinal football team
The 2006 Stanford Cardinal football team represented Stanford University in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. In head coach Walt Harris's second season at Stanford, the Cardinal won only one game, ending the season with a 1–11 record, the school's worst since a winless 1960 season....
quarterback T.C. Ostrander, which set up an Oregon State touchdown. In 2007
2007 Oregon State Beavers football team
The 2007 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team's head coach is Mike Riley. Home games are played at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon.-Season notes:...
, he saw action in all 13 games and recorded 15 tackles.
In 2008
2008 Oregon State Beavers football team
The 2008 Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head coach is Mike Riley...
, he started in all 13 games and finished the season as the team's second-leading tackler with 85 tackles including 14 for loss and 3.5 quarterback sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
s, and four passes broken up. He ranked second on the team and eighth in the Pacific 10 Conference in terms of tackles for loss. In the upset win against USC
2008 USC Trojans football team
The 2008 University of Southern California Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the college football season of 2008–2009...
, Kristick compiled a career-high of ten tackles including two for losses of yardage and one quarterback sack. He was named to the All-Pac 10 second team.
Keaton was named a consensus 1st team All-Pac 10 linebacker in 2009 and led his team in tackles with 95 including 8.5 for loss, two INT's and seven passes broken up as a strongside LB.
Prior to the 2009 season
2009 Oregon State Beavers football team
The 2009 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the college football 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach, in his second stint with the Beavers, was Mike Riley who was in his seventh straight season and ninth overall with the football...
, he was added to the Lott Trophy
Lott Trophy
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize the personal character of the winning player as well as...
and Bednarik Award watch lists. ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
analyst Ted Miller rated him the 19th-ranked player in the Pac 10. College Football News
College Football News
College Football News is a magazine and website published by College Football News, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. News coverage includes scores, statistics, rankings, and reports on college football games. Analysis includes comparisons between teams, predictions of game outcomes and...
named him to their "120 Players To Know".
San Francisco 49ers
Kristick was not selected in the 2010 NFL Draft2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
, but was signed by the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
shortly after as a free agent.
On September 4, 2011, he was waived by the 49ers.
Further reading
- How do you stop Keaton Kristick? Take away his Cafe Americanos, and he's helpless, The OregonianThe OregonianThe Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
, April 23, 2008. - OSU spring ball, Day 5 ... Keaton Kristick on Lott Trophy watch list, The Oregonian, April 8, 2009.
- Player Spotlight: Keaton Kristick, Scout.comScout.comScout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
, May 21, 2005. - New face of the defense, Corvallis Gazette-TimesCorvallis Gazette-TimesThe Corvallis Gazette-Times is a daily newspaper in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The newspaper, along with its sister publication, the Albany Democrat-Herald is owned by Lee Enterprises of Davenport, Iowa...
, April 22, 2009. - Getting to know junior linebacker Keaton Kristick, Corvallis Gazette-Times, October 1, 2008.
- Linebacker's future told in the tale of the tape, The Oregonian, November 14, 2008.
- A cup of joe with Keaton Kristick, who's eyeing the Rose Bowl, ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, March 12, 2009.