Khalifa Keith – Syndication Server

Tennessee running back enters transfer portal ahead of College Football Playoff

Tennessee running back enters NCAA transfer portal ahead of College Football Playoff.

Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) is ranked No. 7 in College Football Playoff rankings ahead of conference championship week. The Vols will not play this week and await their final College Football Playoff ranking and seeding.

Ahead of postseason play, Tennessee sophomore running back Khalifa Keith entered the NCAA transfer portal.

“After much consideration, I would like to announce I will be entering the transfer portal on Dec. 9 with three years of eligibility left,” Keith announced.

The 6-foot-1, 239-pound running back appeared in four games for the Vols during the 2024 regular-season. He totaled 100 rushing yards and scored one touchdown on 21 attempts, while also recording one reception for eight yards.

Keith appeared in 12 games for Tennessee as freshman in 2023, totaling 24 rushing yards on 11 attempts.

He went to Tennessee from Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

PHOTOS: Tennessee running backs through the years

Khalifa Keith is ‘further along’ as a runner entering freshman season

Tennessee freshman running back Khalifa Keith is further along as a runner entering freshman season.

Tennessee practiced for the 13th time during fall training camp on Friday at Haslam Field.

Third-year running backs coach Jerry Mack met with media following practice.

Mack discussed his early impressions of freshman running back Khalifa Keith.

“Big, strong, powerful guy,” Mack said. “He is everything that, when we recruited him, we thought he could be. He came in about 225 or 230 (pounds). He has continued to maintain about that body weight, and he can move with it and make plays with it. One thing about him, he does have really good hands. He was a former basketball player in high school, too, really athletic.

“His deal is really just learning our system and how we go about doing things here at Tennessee. I think as a player, you are going to see that guy involved in a lot of special teams this year. Coach (Ekeler) is extremely excited about his role and what he can be. As a runner, he is a lot further along than I really even anticipated right now. Running between the tackles, people do not want to come up and tackle him too much. He just has to continue to learn, to play his way into shape more than anything else. He is going to contribute this year for us in some kind of capacity.”

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Keith enrolled at Tennessee in June. He is from Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

PHOTOS: Tennessee running backs through the years

Early signing period: Khalifa Keith signs with Tennessee

The 2022 early signing period is taking place Dec. 21-23 for the 2023 recruiting signing class.

The 2022 early signing period is Josh Heupel’s second as Tennessee’s head coach. He was hired as the Vols’ head coach in Jan. 2021.

Heupel guided the Vols to a 10-2 regular season in 2022.

No. 6 Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will play No. 7 Clemson (11-2, 8-0 ACC) in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 30.

Kickoff between the Vols and Tigers is slated for 8 p.m. EST (ESPN) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Khalifa Keith signed with the Vols on Wednesday during the early signing period.

The 6-foot, 235-pound running back prospect is from A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

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Tennessee commit Khalifa Keith announces signing time

Tennessee commit Khalifa Keith announces signing time.

2023 running back Khalifa Keith announced his commitment to Tennessee on Nov. 20.

“My dad passed away two years ago today,” Keith announced when committing to the Vols. “He is the reason I have the opportunity to make a decision like this. Love you, pops!!

“Hey Rocky Top, I’m Home!!”

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Keith is from A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

He decommitted from Kentucky on Nov. 7. The Vols offered the 2023 running back prospect Oct. 21.

Keith announced when he plans to sign with Tennessee during the early signing period.

“I will be signing on Dec. 21 at A.H Parker High at 9 a.m. CST,” he announced. “I would love for everyone to come out and support. All media welcome.”

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Khalifa Keith commits to Tennessee

Khalifa Keith commits to Tennessee.

Second-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and his staff continue to recruit future Vols.

2023 running back Khalifa Keith announced his commitment to Tennessee Sunday.

“My dad passed away two years ago today,” Keith announced. “He is the reason I have the opportunity to make a decision like this. Love you pops!!

“Hey Rocky Top, I’m Home!!”

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Keith is from A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

He decommitted from Kentucky on Nov. 7. The Vols offered the 2023 running back prospect Oct. 21.

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