Keith Randolph Jr.

Last updated
Keith Randolph Jr.
No. 67 – Chicago Bears
Position: Defensive tackle
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)
Undrafted: 2024
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • Third-team All-Big Ten (2023)

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.

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]

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References

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