| Year: | 1896 |
| Team: | VMI Keydets |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 3–4 |
| Head Coach: | George W. Bryant |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
The 1896 VMI Keydets football team represented the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in their sixth season of organized football. The Keydets had a 3–4 record, marking the first losing season in program history.[1]