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erly Parkway Elementary gym, the ease with which he guides and interacts with the class. Kirk Hoover watches Keiser run the class, observing as his student-teacher ably keeps the kids moving and the class on schedule. Hoover's been a phys ed teacher in the State College district for nearly eight years, and he says Keiser is better prepared than any student-teacher he's had. "He could've done this as a freshman," Hoover says. Keiser is modest – "I'm learning a lot from Kirk, and I still have a ton to learn," he says – but if he chooses to go into teaching, he'll be an asset wherever he lands. That's not the only calling Keiser hears. He's been involved with Victory Christian Fellowship, a campus ministry group, and is committed to working with them in a formal role beginning this summer. And then there's the NFL. Yes, the NFL. "I'm going to train for Pro Day next year," he says. "I don't know what my chances are, but it's more about just giving it a shot." He plans to work with team trainer Tim Bream – whose previous gig was with the Chicago Bears – and strength and conditioning coach Deege Galt to put together a plan to get in peak condition by next winter. McKenzi admits she'd be nervous to see her husband back out on the football .eld, but says that ultimately, "I would love to see it happen." And what does his mother think? "As a mom, of course, I'm like 'Ryan…'" Cathy Keiser says. "But a1er what I saw him just go through, and now thinking he can get back in shape and do this, well, why not try?" It's the longest of shots, but then, the odds weren't much better that a former walk-on would end up starting on one of the best defenses in the nation. For now, Keiser and his wife are appre- ciating their relatively quiet life together in State College. They live in grad student housing on campus, and McKenzi works at a local daycare. Keiser splits his time student teaching be- tween two local elemen- tary schools, and later this spring he'll serve a stint at State Col- lege Area High School before completing his certi.cation. Back in the gym at Easterly Parkway, the fourth-graders are sitting lined up in a row as Keiser shows them the basic ele- ments of a set shot. He explains the moving parts – bend your knees, elbow out front, follow through – then .res up a shot from free-throw distance. It rims out. There's a hint of a murmur from the kids, that moment when their teacher – not just a teacher, but a Penn State football player – misses his shot. But before the ball has even bounced o0 the gym /oor, Keiser is teaching again. "I missed," he says, " but I still feel pretty good about it, because I followed through." ■ SENIOR MOMENT Keiser, back row, sec- ond from right, re- turned to the Penn State sideline for Senior Day in Novem- ber, about five weeks after he was injured in practice. Photo by Curtis Chan

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