Khalifa Keith Transfers to Alabama, Returns Home to Join Crimson Tide Backfield
The Alabama running back room just got a little deeper-and a little more local.
Khalifa Keith, a Birmingham native and former Parker High standout, is officially heading back to his home state. After stops at Tennessee and Appalachian State, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound back is transferring to Alabama, bringing with him two years of eligibility and a fresh opportunity to make an impact in one of college football’s most competitive backfields.
Keith made the move during an official visit to Tuscaloosa on Saturday night, and his addition gives the Crimson Tide six scholarship running backs heading into the 2026 season.
This is a homecoming in more ways than one. Keith not only returns to Alabama, but also becomes the third Parker High product on the current Tide roster, joining defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman and edge rusher Caleb Smith. That kind of high school-to-college pipeline is something Alabama fans-and coaches-love to see, especially when it brings in a player with Keith’s physical upside.
Keith’s college journey has been winding, but it’s far from over. He began at Tennessee in 2023, where he saw limited touches-just 21 yards on 10 carries-but appeared in 12 games, contributing primarily on special teams.
In 2024, he showed flashes of potential, rushing for 100 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries as a redshirt freshman. After transferring to Appalachian State, he saw minimal action in 2025, logging just three carries for eight yards while using his redshirt year.
Now, with a fresh start at Alabama, Keith steps into a crowded but competitive running back room. And while he may not be the headline name in the group, his size and SEC experience could give him a role to carve out-especially in short-yardage or goal-line situations. At 6'1", 235 pounds, Keith brings a bruising, downhill style that could complement the speed and agility of the Tide’s other backs.
This move also continues a busy offseason for Alabama in the transfer portal. Keith is one of 17 incoming transfers for the 2026 class, as the Tide look to reload after losing 22 players to the portal. It’s a reflection of the new normal in college football-rosters are reshaped year to year, and depth charts are never set in stone.
Alabama opens its 2026 campaign on September 5 at home against East Carolina. Between now and then, Keith will have the chance to prove he belongs in the rotation. For a player returning to his roots, it’s a chance to write the next chapter of his football story right where it all began.