Former Tennessee and App State Running Back Commits to Alabama Via Transfer Portal

Khalifa Keith, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining with the Crimson Tide.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 6:31pm

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The Alabama Crimson Tide added depth to its running back room on Saturday via the transfer portal, with Brett Greenberg of 247 Sports reporting that Alabama has landed a commitment from former Tennessee and App State running back Khalifa Keith.

Why it matters

Alabama continues to bolster its roster through the transfer portal, adding a running back with experience at the SEC and Sun Belt levels. Keith's commitment provides additional depth and competition in the Crimson Tide's backfield.

The details

Keith, originally a native of Birmingham, Alabama, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound running back attended Parker High School in Birmingham. Coming out of high school, Keith was rated as a three-star prospect in the Volunteers' 2023 recruiting class, coming in as the No. 48 overall running back and the No. 31 player in the state of Alabama. During his first two seasons of college football with the Tennessee Volunteers, Keith carried the football 31 times for 121 yards and one touchdown. After two seasons in Knoxville, Keith played for App State in 2023, but carried the ball just three times for eight yards for the Mountaineers. He missed the entire season with App State due to an injury.

  • Keith committed to Alabama on February 1, 2026.

The players

Khalifa Keith

A former running back for the Tennessee Volunteers and Appalachian State Mountaineers who has committed to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide as a transfer.

Brett Greenberg

A reporter for 247 Sports who reported on Keith's commitment to Alabama.

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What they’re saying

“Alabama added another body to its running back room on Saturday with the addition of a former Tennessee Volunteer and App State Mountaineer Running Back.”

— Wyatt Fulton, Author

What’s next

Keith will join the Alabama program and compete for playing time in the Crimson Tide's backfield.

The takeaway

Alabama continues to be an attractive destination for top talent in the transfer portal, adding another experienced running back to its roster as it looks to maintain its status as one of the premier programs in college football.