Keith Randolph Jr.

Last updated

Keith Randolph Jr.
Personal information
Born: (2001-09-01) September 1, 2001 (age 22)
Belleville, Illinois, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school: Belleville West (Belleville, Illinois)
College: Illinois (2019–2023)
Position: Defensive tackle
Undrafted: 2024
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • Third-team All-Big Ten (2023)

Keith Randolph Jr. (born September 1, 2001) is an American professional football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He played college football at Illinois.

Contents

Early life and high school

In Randolph's senior season, he notched 56 tackles with nine being for a loss, and seven sacks, while being named all-state. [1] In high school, Randolph also played basketball, as he was a part of two state championship teams. [2] [3] Coming out of high school, Randolph held offers from schools such as Florida State, Colorado, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Minnesota. [4] Randolph decided to commit to play college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini. [5] [6]

College career

In Randolph's first collegiate season, he played in the games making seven tackles with half a tackle going for a loss. [7] In week one of the 2020 season, Randolph played 26 snaps notching four tackles versus Wisconsin. [8] Randolph finished the covid shortened 2020 season with eight tackles and a pass deflection. [9] In week eleven of the 2021 season, Randolph recorded his first career interception which he returned 30 yards, as he helped the Fighting Illini beat Charlotte. [10] In the 2021 season, Randolph tallied 42 tackles, with five and a half being for a loss, four sacks, a pass deflection, an interception, and a forced fumble. [11] Randolph finished the 2022 season with 53 tackles with 13 going for a loss, four and a half sacks, a pass deflection, and an interception. [12] For his performance in the 2022 season, Randolph was named third team all Big-10. [13] Randolph entered the 2023 season as a team captain for the Fighting Illini. [14] Randolph was also named to the 2023 preseason Outland Trophy watch list and the Nagurksi Award watch list. [15] Randolph finished the 2023 season with 49 tackles with four being for a loss, a sack and a half, and a pass deflection. [16] After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Randolph declared for the 2024 NFL draft. [17] [18]

Randolph finished his career as a Fighting Illini, playing in 42 games making 159 tackles with 23 going for a loss, ten sacks, six pass deflections, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. [19]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+1⁄2 in
(1.92 m)		296 lb
(134 kg)		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m)		9+7⁄8 in
(0.25 m)		5.15 s1.78 s2.97 s4.81 s7.75 s28.5 in
(0.72 m)		8 ft 9 in
(2.67 m)		21 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [20] [21]

Randolph signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2024. [22] He was waived on August 24.

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References

  1. ↑ Trieu, Allen (December 5, 2018). "Trieu: Michigan State appears to make Illinois DE Keith Randolph a priority". Detroitt News. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  2. ↑ Jardy, Adam (February 24, 2022). "Best friends E.J. Liddell, Keith Randolph Jr. on opposing sides for Ohio State-Illinois". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  3. ↑ Boyd, James (August 14, 2021). "Watch now: Former prep basketball star turned lineman Keith Randolph Jr. continues growth at Illinois". The Pantagraph. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  4. ↑ Wilhelm, David (December 19, 2018). "Belleville West's Randolph picks Illinois from multiple Big Ten suitors". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  5. ↑ Wagner, Joey (March 19, 2019). "Randolph brings potential to Illini defense". Dispatch Argus. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  6. ↑ Wagner, Joey (December 19, 2018). "RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: Illini land Belleville West defensive lineman Keith Randolph". Herald & Review. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Keith Randolph Jr. 2019 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  8. ↑ Wagner, Joey (October 28, 2020). "DE Keith Randolph steps up, earns more playing time for Illini". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Keith Randolph Jr. 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  10. ↑ Boyd, James (October 3, 2021). "Watch now: Keith Randolph Jr.'s first interception highlights Illinois' dominant defense". The Pantagraph. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Keith Randolph Jr. 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Keith Randolph Jr. 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  13. ↑ Kimball, Anderson (March 28, 2023). "Illinois' Keith Randolph, 'Law Firm' looking to build consistency and draft stock after return". The Pantagraph. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  14. ↑ Rittenberg, Adam (November 21, 2023). "Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton, Keith Randolph Jr. to enter NFL draft". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  15. ↑ Kimball, Anderson (August 3, 2023). "Illinois defensive lineman Keith Randolph thriving with home state team". The Pantagraph. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Keith Randolph Jr. 2023 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  17. ↑ Richey, Scott (November 21, 2023). "Newton, Randolph will declare for NFL draft after season". The News-Gazette. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  18. ↑ Rittenberg, Adam (November 21, 2023). "Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton, Keith Randolph Jr. to enter NFL draft". ESPN. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  19. ↑ Beherns, Bret (December 11, 2023). "Keith Randolph Jr. officially declares for NFL Draft". WCIA.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Keith Randolph Jr. Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  21. ↑ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Keith Randolph Jr. College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  22. ↑ Mayer, Larry (May 9, 2024). "Roster Moves: Bears agree to terms with nine undrafted rookie free agents". ChicagoBears.com.
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