Austin Keys
| Minnesota Vikings | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | April 3, 2002 |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 247 lb (112 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Seminary High School |
| College: | |
| Undrafted: | 2025 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Undrafted free agent |
Austin Keys is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played college football for the Auburn Tigers and for the Ole Miss Rebels.
Early life and high school
[edit]He attended Seminary High School located in Seminary, Mississippi. Coming out of high school, Keys was rated as a three star recruit, where he committed to play college football for the Ole Miss Rebels.[1]
College career
[edit]Ole Miss
[edit]During his first collegiate season in 2020, Keys used the season to redshirt.[2] In the 2021, he recorded 12 tackles in just six games before an injury cut his season short.[3] During the 2022 season, Keys notched 39 tackles with three and a half being for a loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.[4] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, he decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[5]
Auburn
[edit]Keys transferred to play for the Auburn Tigers.[6] He made his Auburn debut in week one of the 2023 season, where he made the start, notching two tackles in a win over UMass.[7] In week eleven, he put up three tackles, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble versus Vanderbilt.[8] Keys finished the 2023 season, playing in just eight games due to injury, where he recorded 30 tackles with three for a loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble.[9] During the 2024 season, he tallied 39 tackles and two pass deflections.[10]
Professional career
[edit]After not being selected in the 2025 NFL draft, Keys signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Berry, Zach. "3-star LB Austin Keys commits to Ole Miss3-star LB Austin Keys commits to Ole Miss". Red Cup Rebellion. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Green, Tom. "Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys 'everything' Auburn thought he'd be at linebacker". AL.com. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Clemente, Christian. "Auburn lands former Ole Miss LB Austin Keys". 247Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Cohen, Matt. "Year 1 on The Plains: Meet Auburn transfer linebacker Austin Keys". AL.com. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Rudolph, Justin. "Ole Miss linebacker Austin Keys enters NCAA transfer portal". On3.com. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Stephenson, Creg. "Auburn 'getting a great player' in Austin Keys, Ole Miss' Cedric Johnson says". AL.com. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Cohen, Matt. "Auburn LB Austin Keys not on field during open practice period". AL.com. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Silva, Richard. "'Hunting mentality': How the return of Austin Keys has elevated Auburn football's defense". Montgomery Advisor. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ King, Nathan. "Austin Keys reunites with former Ole Miss coach D.J. Durkin on Auburn defense". 247Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Rauterkus, Peter. "3 players who stood out at Auburn football's Pro Day". AL.com. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ Walls, Austin. "Minnesota Vikings Sign Another Undrafted Auburn Tigers Linebacker". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 27, 2025.