Established 1826 — Oldest College Newspaper West of the Alleghenies
MEN'S SPORTS

Miami’s ‘Swiss Army Knife’: How transfer Keith Reynolds has improved Miami football, both on and off the field

Redshirt sophomore receiver Keith Reynolds prepares for a kickoff in the first quarter against Northern Illinois at Huskie Stadium on Oct. 4
Redshirt sophomore receiver Keith Reynolds prepares for a kickoff in the first quarter against Northern Illinois at Huskie Stadium on Oct. 4

The Miami University Redhawks football team had a busy offseason going into its 2025 campaign. The RedHawks recruited 13 players in the transfer portal, many of whom became starters on an offense that lost all 11 starters from 2024. 

One of those players helping boost the receiving room is redshirt sophomore Keith Reynolds, who is in his first year at Miami after playing one season at the University of Washington. 

Reynolds came out of high school as a three-star recruit and the 189th-best receiver in the class of 2023. The native of Adelanto, California, received his first offer from Washington on March 13, 2022. 

After receiving four more offers, all of which from Division I Football Subdivision (FBS) teams, Reynolds decided to call Washington his home. 

During his first season, Reynolds became heavily involved on special teams. He had 14 kickoff returns for 307 yards, including a season-long return of 50 yards. He scored his first collegiate touchdown against the University of South California Trojans when he took a jet sweep and rushed for four yards, giving Washington the lead in what would end up being a 26-21 win for the Huskies. 

Reynolds hauled in five catches for 35 yards during his time as a Huskie. In the offseason, he decided to enter the portal as a three-star player and the 266th-best receiver in the nation.

“I came here by myself on a visit, and I just connected with the coaches,” Reynolds said. “It was just me and the coaches, one on one. I feel like that played a big factor in me coming here.”

Less than a month after entering the portal, Reynolds committed to Miami earlier this year on Jan. 12. The RedHawks were two weeks removed from their bowl game victory at the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl.   

Reynolds said he connected with everyone instantly and started to build relationships with his teammates. As the offseason progressed, he became assimilated with the Miami culture, building a friendship with fellow receiver Kam Perry, a redshirt junior who transferred from Indiana University a year prior. 

In his debut as a RedHawk against the University of Rutgers, Reynolds caught seven passes for 120 yards, including a 69-yard deep pass that set up a touchdown three plays later in the third quarter. 

One week later in the home opener against the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, Reynolds showed off his kickoff return abilities, putting up 130 yards off three returns, one of which he housed in the third quarter. 

That return was the second 100-yard kickoff return in program history, along with the first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2018. 

Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter

“He’s a dynamic athlete,” head coach Chuck Martin said. “He’s very versatile: He’s a great returner, he can play receiver, [and] he can play running back. We’ve tried to use him in all those areas. Some people are talented at one thing. He’s super talented at a lot of things.”

Reynolds leads the roster with 402 total kickoff return yards. Despite three quarterback changes this season, he also has 339 receiving yards. For backup redshirt senior quarterback Henry Hesson, Reynolds has been a consistent and reliable player down the field. 

“Getting the ball in [Keith’s] hands has been a big help,” Hesson said. “He’s going to make the play, he wants the ball in his hand, and I trust him to make that play.”

The RedHawks are next headed to Detroit for the third-straight year looking for their third Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship under Martin. Reynolds looks to help the team take the title while also reaching for 1,000 all-purpose yards on the year. 

@Devin_McCartin

mccartd6@miamioh.edu

Read More

Trending