Former Tennessee running back Khalifa Keith is heading back to the SEC - and not just anywhere, but to Alabama. After a brief stop at Appalachian State, Keith has committed to the Crimson Tide, giving Nick Saban’s successor another piece to work with in the backfield.
Keith’s college journey has already seen a few twists. He spent two seasons with the Vols, appearing in 16 games and logging 32 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown.
In 2024, he showed flashes in limited action, rushing 21 times for 100 yards. But after transferring to App State, his role diminished.
He saw the field in six games but managed just three carries for eight yards.
Now, the Birmingham native is getting a fresh start - and a homecoming. A product of Parker High School, Keith was a well-regarded high school recruit.
He was rated a three-star by On3, 247Sports, and Rivals, and ESPN gave him a fourth star. With two years of eligibility remaining, he’ll have time to carve out a role in a crowded Alabama backfield.
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s running back room is undergoing a bit of a reset of its own. DeSean Bishop, a Knoxville native and former walk-on, has emerged as the lead back heading into next season. He was in the same recruiting class as Keith and Cameron Seldon, but he’s now the last one standing in orange.
And Bishop isn’t just surviving - he’s thriving. Last season, he racked up 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns on 182 carries across 13 games. That kind of production has earned him the projected feature back role for 2025, and he’s still got two years of eligibility left.
Behind him, Tennessee is reloading with a mix of youth and potential. Javin Gordon, a rising sophomore who transferred in from Tulane, joins second-year backs Daune Morris and Justin Baker to round out the depth chart. All three will be looking to make their mark in what should be a competitive rotation.
The Vols are also saying goodbye to two key contributors. Star Thomas, who transferred in for one season, is out of eligibility and already turning the page to the pros.
He suited up for the Senior Bowl in Mobile on Saturday, giving NFL scouts one more look at his skill set. Peyton Lewis, meanwhile, entered the transfer portal and has committed to Virginia.
So while Khalifa Keith’s SEC story is shifting to Tuscaloosa, Tennessee’s backfield is entering a new chapter of its own - one led by a former walk-on who’s now the face of the ground game.