Alabama continues to reshape its roster for 2026, and the latest addition brings a familiar name back to the state.
Running back Khalifa Keith, a Birmingham native and former Parker High School standout, is transferring to Alabama after stints at Tennessee and Appalachian State. He becomes the 17th transfer to join the Crimson Tide this offseason, adding to a growing list of offensive reinforcements that includes wide receiver Noah Rogers (NC State), offensive lineman Nick Brooks (Texas), and former Michigan linemen Ty Haywood and Kaden Strayhorn.
Now, let’s be clear - Keith isn’t coming in with eye-popping college stats or a highlight reel loaded with explosive plays. Through three seasons split between the Volunteers and Mountaineers, he’s logged just 34 carries for 129 yards and a single touchdown - a short-yardage score against Chattanooga back in 2024. In 2025, he saw limited action at Appalachian State, playing only eight snaps across three games, according to Pro Football Focus.
But what Keith does bring is size, experience, and depth to a running back room that’s still finding its identity. At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, he’s a physical presence who can help spell younger backs and handle some of the grind-it-out carries when needed. He’s not expected to be the feature back, but that’s not the role Alabama needs him to fill - at least not right away.
The Tide’s run game in 2025 was, frankly, one of the weakest in program history. Averaging just over 104 yards per game and a modest 3.35 yards per carry, the ground attack lacked the punch and consistency Alabama fans are used to seeing.
The good news? Most of that backfield - including Kevin Riley, Daniel Hill, and AK Dear - is returning.
And they’ll be joined by five-star freshman Ezavier Crowell, one of the most hyped in-state running back prospects in recent memory. Crowell has the tools to be special, but like any true freshman, he’ll need time to adjust to the college game.
That’s where a player like Keith becomes valuable. Think of him as a steady, veteran hand - similar to what Alabama hoped to get from Louisiana transfer Dre Washington last year.
Washington didn’t make a huge impact on the field, seeing just 34 snaps in five games, but his presence helped stabilize a young room. Keith could serve a similar purpose in 2026.
With two years of eligibility left, Keith gives Alabama a low-risk, potentially high-reward option. He’s not being brought in to carry the offense, but he doesn’t have to be. His role is to contribute however he can - whether that’s in short-yardage situations, on special teams, or simply as a reliable depth piece while guys like Crowell and Trae’shawn Brown develop into featured backs.
This is a classic case of roster management in the transfer portal era. Not every addition is a headline-grabber, but the right depth pieces can make a big difference over the course of a long season. Keith may not be a star, but he’s another tool in the toolbox for a team looking to rebound in a big way.