| Keith Randolph Jr. | |
| Position: | Defensive tackle |
| Birth Date: | 1 September 2001 |
| Birth Place: | Belleville, Illinois, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 5 |
| Weight Lbs: | 300 |
| College: | Illinois (2019–2023) |
| Undraftedyear: | 2024 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Highlights: |
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| Statseason: | 2024 |
| Statlabel1: | Total tackles |
| Statlabel2: | Sacks |
| Statlabel3: | Forced fumbles |
| Statlabel4: | Fumble recoveries |
| Statlabel5: | Pass deflections |
| Statlabel6: | Touchdowns |
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.
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]
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]
Randolph signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2024.[20] He was waived on August 24.