Keith Ismael Bio
Keith Edward Ismael (born July 25, 1998) is an American professional football center who has played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Commanders, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs and was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the team then known as the Washington Redskins. A versatile interior lineman, Ismael has contributed on both active rosters and practice squads during his professional career.
Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 309 pounds, Ismael is recognized for his positional flexibility and football intelligence, traits that have allowed him to remain in the league since his 2020 debut. He is the son of a former college center and grew up surrounded by relatives who played or coached the sport at high levels.
Early Life and Background
Keith Edward Ismael was born on July 25, 1998, in San Francisco, California, into a family of football players. His father, George Ismael, played center for the Florida A&M Rattlers, giving young Keith an early and direct connection to the offensive line position he would later master. His uncle, Tavita Pritchard, was a quarterback for the Stanford Cardinal and is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders, while his other uncle, Wilson Faumuina, played five seasons in the NFL.
Growing up, Ismael played baseball, basketball, soccer, and also swam, developing the kind of broad athletic base that would later help him on the football field. It was not until seventh grade that his father allowed him to play football, wanting to ensure that he understood the sport, recognized the dedication required to succeed, and had a genuine passion for it. Ismael attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco, where he played football and lacrosse.
Ismael is of African American, Filipino, Samoan, and Native American descent, a multiracial heritage that reflects the deep and varied roots of football culture in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Path to American Football
Although Ismael came from a football family, his route into the sport was carefully staged by his father, who insisted on discipline and commitment before allowing him to suit up. Once permitted to play, Ismael quickly progressed at Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, lining up as a young interior lineman while also playing lacrosse to sharpen his footwork and hand-eye coordination.
Coming out of high school, Ismael was rated as a two-star recruit, yet he attracted attention from a wide range of college programs. He committed to San Diego State over offers from Air Force, Army, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Hawaii, Montana, San Jose State, UC Davis, and Utah State. That decision launched his climb up the college football ladder and set the stage for his professional breakthrough.
Keith Ismael Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Ismael spent his college career at San Diego State from 2016 through 2019, where he became a three-year starter for the Aztecs. As a freshman in 2017, he was named second-team All-Mountain West Conference, an unusually fast recognition for a young interior lineman. He followed that up with first-team All-Mountain West honors in both 2018 and 2019, cementing his reputation as one of the top centers in the conference.
Following the 2019 season, Ismael announced that he would forgo his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft. His combination of technique, strength, and football pedigree made him an appealing mid-round prospect for teams in need of interior line help.
Washington Football Team / Commanders Era (2020–2021)
Ismael was selected by the Washington Football Team in the fifth round, 156th overall, of the 2020 NFL Draft, with one of the two picks Washington acquired in a trade that sent Trent Williams to the San Francisco 49ers. He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 22, 2020, and spent his first professional season developing within the organization.
On August 31, 2021, Ismael was released, but he re-signed to the practice squad the following day and was promoted to the active roster on November 4. In a Week 12 win against the Seattle Seahawks, Ismael took over at center after starter Wes Schweitzer left the game with an ankle injury. The following week, he made his first career start against the Las Vegas Raiders, becoming the fourth starting center Washington used during the 2021 season. On March 16, 2022, the team placed an exclusive rights free agent tender on Ismael, which he signed on April 20, before being placed on injured reserve and later released with an injury settlement on September 5, 2022.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2022–2023)
On September 13, 2022, Ismael signed with the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers, returning to the Bay Area near where he grew up. He signed a reserve and future contract on January 31, 2023, signaling the organization’s continued interest in his development.
His time in San Francisco was brief at the top of the 2023 season. On August 29, 2023, Ismael was waived by the 49ers, opening the door for his next chapter in the league.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–2024)
Just one day after being waived, on August 30, 2023, Ismael was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals, giving him a fresh opportunity to compete for a roster spot. He went on to play in 13 games for the Cardinals during the 2023 season, providing depth and experience along the interior offensive line.
Ismael was waived by the Cardinals on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was later released by Arizona on December 10, 2024, concluding his most recent NFL stint. As of the 2024 season, his career NFL totals included 31 games played and 5 games started.
Driving Style and Strengths
As an offensive lineman, Ismael is best understood through his technique, football intelligence, and positional flexibility rather than driving style. He has demonstrated the ability to play both guard and center at the professional level, and his lacrosse background is often cited as a foundation for his quick feet and hand precision. His development under multiple offensive line coaches has produced a player comfortable in zone and gap schemes alike.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Ismael’s first NFL start against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 stands out, as he became the fourth starting center Washington used that season. He also earned the rare distinction of first-team All-Mountain West honors in back-to-back years, a recognition that helped propel him into the 2020 NFL Draft.
Keith Ismael Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Keith Ismael’s professional résumé is measured less by individual victories and more by durability, versatility, and games contributed across multiple organizations. From 2020 through the 2024 season, he appeared in 31 NFL games with 5 starts, contributing to the success of three different franchises. His most extensive playing time came during the 2023 season with the Arizona Cardinals, when he appeared in 13 games.
College Highlights
Ismael’s most decorated stretch came at San Diego State, where he was named second-team All-Mountain West as a freshman in 2017, then first-team All-Mountain West in both 2018 and 2019. Those honors reflect sustained excellence against top conference competition and helped position him as a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his conference recognition, Ismael’s selection in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and his continued presence on NFL rosters and practice squads through 2024 represent meaningful professional milestones for an interior lineman who began as a two-star recruit.
Keith Ismael Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ismael comes from a deeply rooted football family. His father, George Ismael, played center at Florida A&M, directly shaping Keith’s path to the same position. His uncle, Tavita Pritchard, played quarterback at Stanford and serves as quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders, while another uncle, Wilson Faumuina, played five seasons in the NFL.
Personal Life
Keith Edward Ismael is of African American, Filipino, Samoan, and Native American descent, reflecting the multicultural background that shaped his upbringing in San Francisco. Public details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not clearly established in available sources.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering 2025, Keith Ismael remained a free agent after being released by the Arizona Cardinals on December 10, 2024. With 31 career games played and 5 starts, he brings veteran experience and proven positional flexibility to any team in need of interior line depth.
His track record of moving between active rosters and practice squads across three organizations suggests he remains a viable depth piece for teams seeking center and guard help. The 2025 season will likely be defined by which team offers him his next opportunity, whether on a 53-man roster, a practice squad, or a reserve and future contract.
Given his family ties to the game and his continued dedication to the sport, Ismael’s focus heading into 2025 is on securing a stable roster spot and continuing to build on the foundation he has laid since his 2020 debut.