The Alabama Crimson Tide are adding a running back for 2026 that used to play for an SEC rival program. Alabama needs a better running game next season.
Alabama had an NFL quarterback on its roster last season.
However, Ty Simpson couldn't overcome a poor rushing attack in the Crimson Tide's 38-3 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl.
The running game was an issue during all of the 2025 season. Alabama rushed 466 times for 1,562 yards and 21 touchdowns. 3.4 yards per rush isn't good enough to compete for national championships.
The Crimson Tide have looked for outside help in the transfer portal at running back.
Per Hayes Fawcett of On3, Appalachian State running back Khalifa Keith is set to join Alabama.
Crimson Tide fans might be familiar with Keith's name. He started his college career at rival Tennessee before transferring to Appalachian State.
The six-foot-1, 235-pound athlete from Birmingham, Alabama, rushed three times for eight yards last season for the Mountaineers.
Keith played a larger role for the Volunteers in 2024, rushing for 100 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is appearing to make improving the running game a point of emphasis this offseason. DeBoer fired offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic and is expected to replace him with Adrian Klemm, per Al.com.
Klemm was an offensive line coach for the New England Patriots in 2023 and spent 2025 with USC as an offensive analyst.
During the Senior Bowl this week, DeBoer told reporters he made a change with the offensive line because better "production" was needed up front.
“It’s about production,” DeBoer said. “We know we’ve got to be better there. Mindset. Execution. The details of the fundamentals the guys need. A lot of new faces are going to be in the room, so kind of a fresh start there.”
“There’s different avenues and directions I was still thinking about going,” DeBoer said. “It just became apparent to me what direction I was probably looking to go to as the week went on.”
Keith could have a better junior season at Alabama if the offensive line is much improved this offseason.
During his first three seasons in college, Keith rushed for 129 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries. He's caught one pass for eight yards.