Alabama’s search for depth at running back continues, and with the Transfer Portal window officially closed, Kalen DeBoer and his staff are working with what’s left on the board. One of those remaining options? A familiar name from within the state: Khalifa Keith.
The former Tennessee and Appalachian State back is set to make an official visit to Tuscaloosa this weekend, giving the Crimson Tide a chance to evaluate a player who once called Birmingham home. Keith, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound bruiser, was a three-star prospect in the 2023 class out of Parker High School. He originally committed to Tennessee over offers from Kentucky and Georgia Tech, and even made an unofficial visit to Alabama early in his recruitment.
Now, after a three-year college journey that’s included limited playing time and a recent stint at App State, Keith is looking for a new opportunity-and Alabama, surprisingly, might be one of the programs giving him a shot.
Let’s be clear: Keith’s production to this point has been minimal. Across three seasons, he’s logged just 34 carries for 129 yards and a single touchdown.
His 2025 campaign at Appalachian State saw him touch the ball only three times for eight yards. That’s not the kind of stat line that typically draws attention from a program like Alabama, but context matters here.
The Tide’s running back room is thin. Really thin.
Five-star freshman EJ Crowell is expected to take on a major role right away, but that’s a heavy lift for a player fresh out of high school. Richard Young transferred to Colorado, Jam Miller is off to the NFL, and Alabama missed out on Hollywood Smothers, who chose Texas instead.
That leaves DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan scrambling for reinforcements.
Enter Keith-not as a savior, but as a potential piece of the puzzle. He’s not coming in to be the feature back, and barring a major leap, he won’t be the centerpiece of the Tide’s ground game.
But with his size and physicality, Keith could carve out a role as a short-yardage option or situational runner. Alabama needs bodies, and Keith brings SEC experience, even if his on-field résumé is light.
This is the kind of move that’s less about headlines and more about depth. The Tide’s rushing attack struggled mightily last season, finishing outside the top 130 in FBS in rushing success rate. That’s a number that simply doesn’t fly in Tuscaloosa, and while Keith won’t fix that on his own, adding another capable, experienced back to the mix is a step toward stability.
It’s not flashy. It’s not a blockbuster.
But sometimes, building a roster is about finding the right fits, not just the biggest names. Keith has one year of eligibility left, and if he can contribute in a limited role, that’s a win for a team trying to patch together a reliable run game.
Alabama’s backfield might still belong to the young guns, but don’t overlook the value of a veteran presence-especially one who’s hungry for a shot and has something to prove.