Austin Keys
| No. 56 – 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 (Seminary, Mississippi) |
| College: | |
| Undrafted: | 2025 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Roster status: | Active |
Austin Keys is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Auburn and Ole Miss.
Early life and high school
[edit]Keys attended Seminary High School located in Seminary, Mississippi. He was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Ole Miss Rebels.[1]
College career
[edit]Ole Miss
[edit]As a freshman in 2020, Keys took a redshirt.[2] In 2021, he recorded 12 tackles in six games before an injury cut his season short.[3] In 2022, 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 season, he entered 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 the 2023 season opener, where he made the start, notching two tackles in a win over UMass.[7] In week 11, Keys put up three tackles, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble versus Vanderbilt.[8] He finished the 2023 season, playing in 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, Keys 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.