Tennessee redshirt freshman running back Khalifa Keith is entering the transfer portal after two years in the Volunteers’ program.
“Thank you, Tennessee. I’m forever grateful and beyond blessed for the opportunity to call myself a Vol,” Keith wrote in a post. “After much consideration I would like to announce that I will be entering the transfer portal on Dec. 9 with three years of eligibility remaining.
Keith was Tennessee’s fifth string running back in his redshirt freshman season. He played in four games where he totaled 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Keith also recorded one catch for eight yards.
A 6-foot-1, 239-pound running back, Keith also played in four games during his first season in Knoxville when he totaled 35 rushing yards on 17 carries.
While Tennessee will likely lose Dylan Sampson to the NFL Draft this offseason, the Vols return redshirt freshman running back DeSean Bishop, freshman running back Peyton Lewis and sophomore Cam Seldon next season. All three players were ahead of Keith on the depth chart this season and played bigger roles in Tennessee’s offense.
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Keith’s path to playing time at Tennessee was a major reason why the Birmingham native has decided to leave the Vols’ program and look for a new home.
“This has been a difficult decision but I feel it’s the right one in order for me to continue chasing my athletic and academic goals,” Keith wrote. “I’m blessed to have met and built life long relationships with my brothers and coaches that would last a lifetime.
“I’m excited to see where my journey goes from here. This is to everyone who has been apart of my journey so far. Go Vols.”
Josh Heupel and his staff also signed a pair of prep running backs on Wednesday in Georgia three-star Justin Baker and Murfreesboro three-star Daune Morris. Tennessee’s fourth-year head coach wen as far as comparing Morris’ game to a young Dylan Sampson.
The Vols could also look to add a body at running back in the transfer portal though there’s reasons to be optimistic about Bishop and Lewis being the top backs in Tennessee’s offense next season.
Keith is the second Tennessee player to announce his plans to enter the transfer portal this offseason joining redshirt freshman center Vysen Lang.
