Keith Randolph Jr. (born September 1, 2001) is an American football defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Illinois.
| No. 67 – Chicago Bears | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive tackle |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 1, 2001 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) |
| Undrafted: | 2024 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Active |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life and high school
editIn 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
editIn 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
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-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 s | 1.78 s | 2.97 s | 4.81 s | 7.75 s | 28.5 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]
References
edit- ^ Trieu, Allen (December 5, 2018). "Trieu: Michigan State appears to make Illinois DE Keith Randolph a priority". Detroitt News. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Wilhelm, David (December 19, 2018). "Belleville West's Randolph picks Illinois from multiple Big Ten suitors". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Wagner, Joey (March 19, 2019). "Randolph brings potential to Illini defense". Dispatch Argus. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ Wagner, Joey (December 19, 2018). "RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: Illini land Belleville West defensive lineman Keith Randolph". Herald & Review. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ "Keith Randolph Jr. 2019 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Wagner, Joey (October 28, 2020). "DE Keith Randolph steps up, earns more playing time for Illini". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Keith Randolph Jr. 2020 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Boyd, James (October 3, 2021). "Watch now: Keith Randolph Jr.'s first interception highlights Illinois' dominant defense". The Pantagraph. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Keith Randolph Jr. 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Keith Randolph Jr. 2022 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Rittenberg, Adam (November 21, 2023). "Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton, Keith Randolph Jr. to enter NFL draft". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Kimball, Anderson (August 3, 2023). "Illinois defensive lineman Keith Randolph thriving with home state team". The Pantagraph. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Keith Randolph Jr. 2023 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Richey, Scott (November 21, 2023). "Newton, Randolph will declare for NFL draft after season". The News-Gazette. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Rittenberg, Adam (November 21, 2023). "Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton, Keith Randolph Jr. to enter NFL draft". ESPN. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Beherns, Bret (December 11, 2023). "Keith Randolph Jr. officially declares for NFL Draft". WCIA.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Keith Randolph Jr. Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Keith Randolph Jr. College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (May 9, 2024). "Roster Moves: Bears agree to terms with nine undrafted rookie free agents". ChicagoBears.com.