Alabama Linebacker Keanu Koht Enters Transfer Portal Amid Controversy

Keanu Koht, a former linebacker for the University of Alabama‘s Crimson Tide, announced his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Tuesday. Koht, who joined the team in 2021, had been part of Alabama’s football program for four years, primarily serving as a reserve player.

Over the course of his tenure at Alabama, Koht participated in 14 games, making nine tackles, securing three tackles for loss, achieving half a sack, and recovering one fumble. Despite limited on-field action, Koht expressed his gratitude for the experiences gained during his time at the university. In a public statement, he thanked his coaches, teammates, and supporters and stated that he was seeking new challenges and opportunities for personal growth. Koht has two years of NCAA eligibility remaining.

Before entering the transfer portal, Koht was reportedly removed from the Crimson Tide roster by head coach Kalen DeBoer for undisclosed reasons. Rumors circulating on social media suggest that the suspension stemmed from Koht allegedly sending inappropriate messages to Coach DeBoer’s eldest daughter. However, neither Alabama’s football program nor Koht himself has officially confirmed the allegations.

The case has attracted considerable attention within the Alabama football community, as Koht’s decision to transfer follows a similar move by defensive lineman Jeheim Oatis earlier in the season. The uncertainty surrounding Koht’s suspension has added a layer of intrigue to the process.

In a separate incident, Koht was cited by Tuscaloosa police for speeding at 105 miles per hour on a local highway, significantly exceeding the speed limit. The revelation of this traffic violation emerged in the wake of Koht’s suspension from the football team.

Originally from Vero Beach, Florida, Koht was a highly regarded four-star recruit out of high school. His recruitment was notable, ranking him as the 39th overall prospect in the nation by composite media rankings. On3, a sports media platform, listed him as a five-star recruit and the 16th overall prospect in his class within Florida.