Keith Kirkwood Bio
Keith Kirkwood is an American professional football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 3 in and playing at 210 lb, he has carved out a journeyman career as a depth receiver and special teams contributor since entering the league in 2018. He played college football for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and the Temple Owls, with the latter program launching him into professional football.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Kirkwood signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent and has since spent time with the Carolina Panthers and a second stint with the Saints before landing in Baltimore.
Early Life and Background
Keith Kirkwood was born on December 26, 1994, in Neptune Township, New Jersey. He grew up in the same community where he would later attend high school, spending his formative years on the athletic fields of the Jersey Shore. Neptune Township, a coastal borough in Monmouth County, is known for producing athletes who went on to play at the collegiate and professional levels.
At Neptune High School, Kirkwood was a two-sport standout, playing both football and basketball. His combination of size, length, and athleticism made him a visible prospect for college recruiters on the football field, while his time on the basketball court helped sharpen his coordination and competitive instincts. Those experiences laid the foundation for the wide receiver he would become.
Path to American Football
Following high school, Kirkwood accepted a college opportunity at the University of Hawaii, where he suited up for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in 2013. He spent his freshman season on the program before deciding to transfer in search of a larger role. His path to consistent playing time led him to Temple University, where he joined the Temple Owls and competed from 2014 through the 2017 season.
At Temple, Kirkwood developed his route-running and size-based receiving skills under the Philadelphia-based program. He was part of a Temple roster that included several future NFL players, and the Owls’ pro-style offense gave him exposure to concepts he would later use in professional football. His time with the Owls also connected him to head coach Matt Rhule, a relationship that would later shape his pro career path.
Keith Kirkwood Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
On May 1, 2018, the New Orleans Saints signed Kirkwood as an undrafted free agent to a three-year, $1.72 million contract that included $42,000 guaranteed and a $17,000 signing bonus. He entered training camp in a crowded wide receiver room and competed for a backup role against players including Austin Carr, Tommylee Lewis, Brandon Coleman, and Josh Huff. The Saints waived him as part of their final 2018 roster cuts, then signed him to the practice squad the next day.
His opportunity came on November 10, 2018, when the Saints promoted him to the active roster after Dez Bryant tore his Achilles tendon in practice. On November 11, 2018, Kirkwood made his NFL debut in a 51–14 win at the Cincinnati Bengals, finishing with two receptions for 45 yards and a tackle on special teams. In 2019, a hamstring injury sent him to injured reserve in mid-September, and although he was designated to return in November, he remained on injured reserve for the rest of the season.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2018–2019)
Kirkwood’s first significant stretch of regular-season action came during the 2018 season with the Saints, where injuries to Ted Ginn Jr., Tommylee Lewis, Travin Dural, and Cameron Meredith opened the door. He worked his way into the fourth wide receiver spot behind Michael Thomas, Tre’Quan Smith, and Austin Carr. His professional debut in Cincinnati offered a glimpse of his size-based, possession-receiver skill set.
Although his rookie momentum was slowed by a hamstring injury in 2019, his time in New Orleans gave him NFL experience and familiarity with a winning offensive system. That foundation would prove valuable as he moved forward in his career.
Carolina Panthers Era (2020–2021)
On April 1, 2020, Kirkwood signed with the Carolina Panthers, reuniting him with former Temple head coach Matt Rhule and former college teammates Robby Anderson, P. J. Walker, and Colin Thompson. The connection to his college program gave him a familiar environment, but injuries again interrupted his progress. He opened the season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, was designated for return in late September, and was activated in mid-October before re-injuring his left clavicle and returning to injured reserve.
Kirkwood signed a one-year extension with Carolina in February 2021, was waived at final cuts, and was quickly re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster ahead of the Week 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons. He re-signed with the Panthers again in June 2022 but was released at the end of August.
New Orleans Saints Second Stint (2022–2023)
On September 28, 2022, Kirkwood returned to the New Orleans Saints when he was signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 15, released a few weeks later, and re-signed to the practice squad. Another promotion followed on January 4, 2023, and he re-signed with the Saints on February 17, 2023, keeping him in New Orleans for another season.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024–Present)
On June 28, 2024, Kirkwood signed with the Baltimore Ravens, joining a wide receiver group led by the team’s established passing attack. He was released during final roster cuts on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. The Ravens elevated him for the season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, though he did not appear in that game or in any other contests during the 2024 season.
On February 19, 2025, Kirkwood re-signed with the Ravens, then was released at final cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. As of 2025, he remains a member of the Baltimore organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kirkwood’s signature NFL moment remains his November 2018 debut with the Saints, when he caught two passes for 45 yards and added a special teams tackle in a 51–14 road win at Cincinnati. Coming up through undrafted free agency, surviving multiple injured reserve stints, and continuing to land on NFL rosters five years later stand as the durable milestones of his professional career.
Keith Kirkwood Career Statistics
As of the 2024 NFL season, Keith Kirkwood has recorded 24 receptions for 294 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns across his professional career. He has also contributed on special teams when active.
Keith Kirkwood Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Keith Kirkwood grew up in Neptune Township, New Jersey, where he attended Neptune High School. Public information about his immediate family is limited, and he has generally kept his personal life private. He is known to be active on social media, where he shares updates about his training and football journey.
2025 Season Performance
Keith Kirkwood entered the 2025 season as a member of the Baltimore Ravens after re-signing with the club on February 19, 2025. His 2024 campaign in Baltimore ended without a regular-season appearance, though the organization kept him on the practice squad throughout the year. The Ravens elevated him for the season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On August 26, 2025, the Ravens released him as part of their final roster cuts and re-signed him to the practice squad the following day, signaling that the team still values his size and experience. With Baltimore’s wide receiver rotation being a key storyline of the 2025 offense, Kirkwood’s path back to the active roster will depend on health and opportunity within the receiver group.