Tennessee running back Khalifa Keith set to enter transfer portal
Tennessee reserve running back Khalifa Keith plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, he announced on his social media account Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m forever grateful and beyond blessed for the opportunity you’ve given me to call myself a Vol,” Keith said in a statement on X. “After much consideration, I would lie to announce I will be entering the transfer portal on Dec 9 with 3 year of eligibility left.”
The Birmingham, Ala. native appeared in 16 games throughout his Volunteer career. Keith played in 12 games as a true freshman in 2023, primarily on special teams and as a reserve back. He played in four games this season and qualifies for a redshirt.
Thank you vol nation🧡 pic.twitter.com/M32dVnwbY4
— Khalifa Keith📍 (@KhalifaKeith2) December 4, 2024
“This had 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 concluded. “I’m blessed to have met and built lifelong relationships with my brothers and coached that would last a lifetime.
“I’m excited to see where my journey goes from here. This to everyone who has been part of the journey this far. Go Vols.”
In 16 games as a Vol, Keith rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown on 32 attempts, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. He also caught one pass for eight yards.
Understanding the portal
The winter transfer portal window runs from December 9-28. The spring portal window runs from April 16-25.
Players don’t have to pick a school they are going to during those specific dates but those are the span of dates on when a player can enter the portal.
Those dates don’t apply to graduate transfers who can enter the portal whenever they wish. Also, if there’s a head coaching change, their players are granted an immediate 30-day window during which they can enter the portal.
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Of note, any team playing in a game after Dec 28 (playoffs or regular bowl) gets a five-day window once season ends for those player to enter portal.
So, say a team loses in the CFP first round on Dec 20/21? Their transfer portal window wouldn’t be affected as the regular window ends more than five days after that loss.
Players who enter the portal in the winter window are trying to be somewhere for the spring semester.
For Tennessee the spring semester starts on January 21which is late compared to many schools around the country. Tennessee a year ago started a winter mini-term class that runs the first three weeks of January.
Vols have had success in the portal
The transfer portal can giveth and it can taketh away. For Josh Heupel it’s been much more of a positive than a negative for the Vols when you look at the 2024 season.
Left tackle Lance Heard has been a fixture on an offense line that has helped the Vols rush for over 2700 yards. Tight end Miles Kitselman has been a terrific portal grab because he is the leader of the tight end room. A room that also includes transfer Holden Staes.
Defensively, Jermod McCoy has been the best transfer Tennessee has gotten. McCoy is having an All-American season.
In total, Tennessee added 10 transfers to the current 2024 roster.
