Khalifa Keith: Kentucky Emerges as Top Contender for Running Back

The largest recruiting weekend of the year for the Kentucky football program has already produced one commitment. Austin Ramsey will not be the only weekend visitor to join the Wildcats’ 2023 recruiting class. Running back Khalifa Keith left Lexington with a ton of Kentucky buzz surrounding his recruitment.

Hailing from Parker High School in Birmingham, Al., Keith is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound running back/linebacker. You rarely see a RB/LB combo. It should tell you all you need to know about Keith’s style of play. An absolute bruiser, he has exceptional vision to see cut-back lanes. Paired with powerful tree-trunk legs, he mows through defenses between the tackles.

A three-star prospect, Keith is ranked as high as the No. 4 player in the state of Alabama by 247 Sports. New offensive line coach Zach Yenser serves as Keith’s primary recruiter. Folks around the Kentucky football program believe they’re in an excellent position with Keith following his official visit. Don’t take it from me; hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.

“After visiting Kentucky, I can say that’s probably my number one right now,” he told Cats Illustrated’s Justin Rowland.

Kentucky was the first SEC school to offer Keith a scholarship. Compared by the UK coaching staff to Chris Rodriguez, Keith is a culture and scheme fit in Kentucky’s power run-game. Taking all of that into consideration, I’ve submitted an RPM prediction for Keith to Kentucky.

When will he announce a commitment? There’s no timetable on his decision. Keith will likely officially visit Georgia Tech before the recruiting dead period begins. He’s also received a scholarship offer from Florida State. For now, the Wildcats are in a great spot to add Khalifa Keith to the 2023 recruiting class.