The Nation's No. 9 Running Back Just Picked Miami Over Florida State, and the Seminoles' Board Room Is Panicking

Four-star running back Ty Keys made his college decision Friday night, and it was not the result Florida State was banking on. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound back from Mississippi committed to Mario Cristobal's Miami program, turning down offers from Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and others. FSU had been trending hard for Keys and had him lined up for a summer official visit before the Hurricanes closed the deal.

Why Miami Landed the Elite Mississippi Prospect

Keys was considered a slight lean toward Florida State earlier this spring, but Miami gained serious momentum in recent weeks. The Hurricanes' offense and the relationships Keys built with multiple members of the coaching staff sealed it.

"I really like the offense," Keys told CaneSport last month. "Miami always has a good offensive line. I really like that. I think I'm like Mark Fletcher. I like how Mark stepped up and was a leader. They were amazing running the ball last year."

Keys also loved Miami's approach to using multiple backs in rotation. "When you have a guy that is going to switch out with you and do the same thing you are going to do, that is good," he said. "You trust everybody, I like it."

With Keys committed, Miami vaults back into the top 10 of the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings and now has nine commitments in their 2027 class. More importantly, he becomes running backs coach Favian Upshaw's first commitment during his Miami tenure, a statement moment that shows Upshaw is already building real relationships on the trail.

The Production That Made Him a Prize

Keys was one of Mississippi's premier backs as a junior, rushing for 3,285 yards while averaging 10.9 yards per carry and scoring 45 rushing touchdowns for Poplarville. For a back heading into his senior year, that kind of production is downright absurd.

At The Opening Regional in New Orleans this offseason, Keys was named the "Alpha Dog" of the event and punched a ticket to The Opening Finals at Nike World Headquarters in Oregon this summer. That kind of recognition across elite camps tells you he can produce against the best competition in the country, not just in Mississippi.

Florida State is still searching for their first high school running back commitment in the 2027 class. Four-star RB Jayden Miles has scheduled an official visit to FSU from May 29-31 as Norvell's staff scrambles to regroup.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.