Kentucky RB commit Khalifa Keith locked in with the Wildcats

Chad Simmons updated head shotby:Chad Simmons•08/26/22•

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Birmingham (Ala.) Parker running back Khalifa Keith only needed one visit to Kentucky.

The 6-foot-2, 206-pounder, who On3 ranks as the No. 49 running back in the 2023 cycle, officially visited Lexington in June. He knew then that he’d found a home.

“It only took that one visit,” he told On3. “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.”

As he heads into his senior season, Keith says he isn’t open to other schools and is fully committed to the Wildcats.

“My recruitment is done,” he added. “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.”

Khalifa Keith is excited to be coached by Mark Stoops

One of Kentucky’s biggest selling points was head coach Mark Stoops, who Keith said is only behind Alabama head coach Nick Saban in the SEC in his eyes.

“Coach Stoops is doing great things,” he said. “He is changing the game at Kentucky. Behind Nick Saban, Coach Stoops is the guy in the SEC. I can’t name anyone better I would rather play for. He is a tough guy, but a cool guy. Coach Stoops teaches his players how to be leaders. It is not just football with him.”

The development opportunities he sees with the Wildcats were also a major factor in his decision. As was the chance to play in college football’s premier conference.

“I am excited about my development at Kentucky,” he said. “Not just the development as a football player, but as a man. Kentucky will take care of me. I will get a degree, I will be coached by great people, and I get to play football in the SEC.”