Kentucky commit Khalifa Keith has strong night but leaves game with injury

After taking an official visit to Kentucky in June, Birmingham (Ala.) Parker tailback Khalifa Keith decided to join the class of 2023 in Lexington by committing to the Wildcats in July. At 200-plus pounds on a 6-foot-2 frame, the three-star recruit is one of the best tailbacks in Alabama.

After leading Parker to an 11-3 record as a junior rushing for 1,877 yards, Keith is off to another hot start in 2022. After rushing for 209 yards and four touchdowns in a season-opening win, the big tailback again delivered on Friday night.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT 🤩

Averaged 5.3 per carry against Ramsey, 23’ RB Khalifa Keith showed why he’s SEC caliber back.

Keith is committed to Kentucky. @KhalifaKeith2 @CoachWarren23 @AHParkerFootba1 @AL6AFootball pic.twitter.com/DmqNANzzSw

— C.J. Gilbert (@UnLockYourGame) August 26, 2022

Parker recorded a big rivalry win against Birmingham (Ala.) Ramsey and Khalifa Keith was the star of the show. The north/south runner has rushed for nearly 400 yards and seven touchdowns in just two games this season. Unfortunately, the rising senior suffered an injury setback on Friday night.

According to Evan Dudley of Alabama.com, Keith did not play in the fourth quarter of the 32-18 win after suffering an unspecified injury.

“The senior running back finished with 145 yards and 3 touchdowns on 27 carries, but did not finish the game after suffering an injury near the end of the third quarter. Keith was in good spirits following the game, but the extent of the injury is unknown,” writes Dudley.

The running back is off to a very strong start. Hopefully, Keith can return to the field sooner rather than later.

Khalifa Keith is locked in with Kentucky

Earlier this week, On3’s Chad Simmons spoke with the Alabama tailback and provided an update on Khalifa Keith’s recruitment. The rising senior appears to be all-in with Kentucky football.

“It only took that one visit,” Keith told Simmons. “I felt very comfortable up there. I felt the love from the coaches, they took me in, and I was treated like family from the get go. … Kentucky was the first SEC school to offer me, so that put them up there right away. The SEC is the best conference in college football. That is what I want to play in. With Kentucky, I feel like I will be playing in the best conference, playing for the best coaches, and being up against the best every week. I look forward to that.”

“My recruitment is done. I am locked in with Kentucky. I’ll be back for some games this season. I know I will be there for the Georgia and South Carolina games.”

With three scholarship tailbacks in their senior year at Kentucky, the Wildcats have to replenish assistant coach John Settle’s position room. Khalifa Keith joined Franklin (Ky.) County prospect Kaden Moorman as the second tailback in the class. There’s a possibility that the coaching staff could look to adding another running back before signing day arrives in December.