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, where he developed into one of the top interior linemen in the Mountain West Conference. Ismael entered the NFL after being selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the team then known as the Washington Redskins.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 309 pounds, Ismael is regarded as a hard-working and technically sound center. Throughout his professional career, he has been valued for his football intelligence, his background in a family of players, and his willingness to contribute on both active rosters and practice squads.
Early Life and Background
Keith Edward Ismael was born on July 25, 1998, in San Francisco, California, and raised in a family with deep roots in the sport. His father, George Ismael, played center for the Florida A&M Rattlers, giving his son an early appreciation for the value of playing in the trenches. His uncle, Tavita Pritchard, was a quarterback for the Stanford Cardinal and later became a quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders, while another uncle, Wilson Faumuina, played five seasons in the NFL.
Growing up in San Francisco, Ismael sampled several sports, including baseball, basketball, soccer, and swimming. His father waited until Ismael reached the seventh grade before allowing him to play football, a decision made to make sure his son understood the commitment required to succeed at the game. Ismael attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco, where he lettered in football and also competed in lacrosse.
Ismael is of African American, Filipino, Samoan, and Native American descent, reflecting the diverse heritage that has shaped his family background. The combination of athletic family ties and a deliberate introduction to football helped him build a steady foundation for the next stage of his career.
Path to American Football
At Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, Ismael emerged as a promising interior lineman and attracted attention from a number of college programs. He was rated as a two-star recruit coming out of high school, and he eventually chose San Diego State over offers from Air Force, Army, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Hawaii, Montana, San Jose State, UC Davis, and Utah State. The Aztecs offered him a clear opportunity to compete for a starting role early in his college career.
Ismael arrived at San Diego State and quickly made an impression on the coaching staff. He was a three-year starter for the Aztecs and earned recognition across the Mountain West Conference. As a freshman, he was named second-team All-Mountain West, and he followed that with first-team All-Mountain West honors in both 2018 and 2019, cementing his reputation as a reliable and consistent center.
Following the 2019 season, Ismael announced that he would forgo his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft. His combination of experience, technique, and pedigree as a three-year starter helped position him as a Day 3 prospect with a chance to develop into a long-term NFL contributor.
Keith Ismael Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Ismael was selected by the Washington Football Team in the fifth round, with the 156th overall pick, of the 2020 NFL Draft. The pick was one of two selections 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 season developing behind more established veterans along the offensive line.
His time in Washington was marked by movement between the active roster and the practice squad. He was released on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. On November 4, he was promoted back to the active roster. In Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks, Ismael stepped in at center after starter Wes Schweitzer exited with an ankle injury, and the next week he made his first career start against the Las Vegas Raiders, becoming the fourth different starting center used by Washington during the 2021 season.
Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers (2022–2023)
On March 16, 2022, the Washington Commanders placed an exclusive rights free agent tender on Ismael, which he signed on April 20. He was later placed on injured reserve as part of finalizing the 53-man roster before being released with an injury settlement on September 5, 2022. The transition opened the door for his next opportunity on the West Coast.
On September 13, 2022, Ismael signed with the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers, linking him again with the organization involved in the trade that originally helped land him in the NFL. He signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on January 31, 2023, and spent the offseason working within the team’s offensive line group. He was waived by the 49ers on August 29, 2023, after the team shaped its regular-season roster.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–2024)
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 played in 13 games for the Cardinals during the 2023 season, contributing as a depth piece along the interior offensive line and providing valuable experience in a new system.
Ismael was waived by the Cardinals on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad the same week. He was released by Arizona on December 10, 2024, concluding his time with the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ismael’s game is built on the core responsibilities of a traditional NFL center. He is technically sound at the snap, communicates protections clearly, and is comfortable handling the varied tasks required of an interior lineman, including pass protection and run blocking between the tackles. His willingness to remain ready for whatever role is asked of him has allowed him to move between active rosters and practice squads while continuing to develop.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Ismael’s early career came in 2021, when he made his first NFL start at center for the Washington Football Team. His two first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2018 and 2019 stand as his top college accolades, and he joined a long family tradition of football involvement that includes his father at Florida A&M, his uncle at Stanford, and another uncle in the NFL.
Keith Ismael Career Wins
As an interior offensive lineman, Keith Ismael’s professional impact is measured less by traditional win totals and more by his reliability, versatility, and availability across multiple rosters. He has appeared in 31 NFL games through the 2024 season, making five starts, and has contributed as both an active roster player and a practice squad member for three different franchises.
San Diego State Highlights
At San Diego State, Ismael was a three-year starter and one of the most decorated centers of his era in the Mountain West Conference. He earned second-team All-Mountain West recognition in 2017 as a freshman, then added first-team All-Mountain West selections in both 2018 and 2019. His consistent play helped anchor the Aztecs’ offensive line and was a major reason he was viewed as a legitimate NFL prospect heading into the 2020 draft.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his college accolades, Ismael has been recognized for his steady work on practice squads and active rosters with the Washington Football Team, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Arizona Cardinals. His ability to step into starting duty when called upon, including his first NFL start with Washington, is among the most notable in-season performances of his career to this point.
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Keith Ismael Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs throughout the Ismael family. His father, George Ismael, was a center for the Florida A&M Rattlers and introduced his son to the sport with the goal of making sure he was ready for its demands. His uncle, Tavita Pritchard, was a quarterback for the Stanford Cardinal and has served as a quarterbacks coach in the NFL, while his other uncle, Wilson Faumuina, played five seasons in the league.
Personal Life
Keith Edward Ismael is of African American, Filipino, Samoan, and Native American descent. He has built his professional life around the sport his family knows best, moving from San Francisco to the college ranks at San Diego State and then onto NFL rosters in Washington, San Francisco, and Arizona.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Keith Ismael is set to look for a new opportunity after being released by the Arizona Cardinals on December 10, 2024. His track record of appearing in 31 career games and starting five, along with his experience on practice squads for the Washington Football Team and the San Francisco 49ers, makes him a candidate to compete for a depth role or practice squad position elsewhere around the league.
The 2025 season will be an important one for Ismael, who will be looking to extend his NFL career and add to a resume that already includes time with three different franchises. As a player in a position that often values experience and familiarity with multiple offensive systems, his flexibility is a notable asset as he works toward a return to an active roster.
At 27 years old entering the year, Ismael remains within the typical prime window for an offensive lineman, and his college pedigree, including two first-team All-Mountain West selections, should continue to draw interest from teams in need of experienced interior help.