Keith Edward 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, San Francisco 49ers, and Arizona Cardinals. He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs from 2016 to 2019 and was selected in the fifth round (156th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Washington Football Team. Ismael has appeared in 31 NFL games, starting 5 of those contests. His professional career has been marked by versatility and persistence, having cycled through multiple organizations while continuing to develop his craft at the center position.
Early Life and Background
Keith Edward Ismael was born on July 25, 1998, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in a football-oriented family with deep roots in the sport. His father, George Ismael, played center for the Florida A&M Rattlers, while his uncle, Tavita Pritchard, served as quarterback for the Stanford Cardinal and currently holds the position of quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders. Another uncle, Wilson Faumuina, spent five seasons playing in the NFL.
As a child, Ismael participated in multiple sports including baseball, basketball, soccer, and swimming. His father remained protective about football, only permitting Keith to begin playing the sport in seventh grade. George Ismael wanted his son to first understand the sport, recognize the dedication required to succeed at the highest levels, and develop a genuine passion for the game before committing to football.
Ismael attended Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco, where he played football and lacrosse. His dual-sport participation helped develop the athleticism and spatial awareness that would later benefit his offensive line play at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Despite his family football lineage, Ismael was not a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school. He received scholarship offers from several programs including Air Force, Army, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Hawaii, Montana, San Jose State, UC Davis, and Utah State. He ultimately chose to commit to San Diego State over these options, where he arrived as a two-star recruit with significant potential to grow into an impactful college player.
His decision to attend San Diego State proved instrumental in his development. The Aztecs program provided him with consistent playing time and coaching that refined his technical skills at the center position. His progression through the Mountain West Conference would set the foundation for his professional career.
Keith Edward Ismael Career
San Diego State Aztecs (2016–2019)
Ismael became a three-year starter at center for the San Diego State Aztecs, demonstrating the consistency and durability that NFL scouts value in interior offensive linemen. As a freshman in 2017, he earned second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors, immediately establishing himself as a reliable piece of the Aztecs offensive line. His performance that season showed promise of the multi-year starter he would become.
His sophomore and junior seasons represented his peak collegiate performance. He earned first-team All-Mountain West honors in both 2018 and 2019, cementing his status as one of the premier centers in the conference. Following the 2019 season, Ismael made the decision to forgo his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft, having exhausted his collegiate eligibility with three consecutive years of starting experience and consistently high-level play.
Washington Football Team / Commanders (2020–2021)
The Washington Football Team selected Ismael in the fifth round with the 156th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Notably, Washington acquired this draft selection as part of a trade that sent left tackle Trent Williams to the San Francisco 49ers. Ismael signed his four-year rookie contract on July 22, 2020, officially beginning his professional career.
His rookie season provided limited opportunities as he adjusted to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses. He was released on August 31, 2021, during final roster cuts but was re-signed to the practice squad the following day. His persistence paid off when he was promoted to the active roster on November 4, 2021.
His breakthrough moment came during Week 12 of the 2021 season in a victory against the Seattle Seahawks. When starting center Wes Schweitzer suffered an ankle injury during the game, Ismael stepped in and handled the responsibility admirably. The following week against the Las Vegas Raiders, Ismael made his first career NFL start, becoming the fourth starting center for Washington that season. This opportunity demonstrated his readiness when called upon and validated the organization’s investment in his development.
San Francisco 49ers (2022–2023)
On March 16, 2022, Washington placed an exclusive rights free agent tender on Ismael, which he signed on April 20. However, his tenure was short-lived as he was placed on injured reserve during final roster cuts and subsequently released with an injury settlement on September 5, 2022.
Ismael quickly found a new opportunity with his hometown team. On September 13, 2022, he signed with the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers. He impressed during his time on the practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract on January 31, 2023, securing a spot on the roster for the 2023 season. He was waived by the 49ers on August 29, 2023, during roster reductions.
Arizona Cardinals (2023–2024)
Ismael was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals on August 30, 2023. This move provided him with a fresh start and extended playing opportunities. He appeared in 13 games for the Cardinals during the 2023 season, demonstrating the versatility and reliability that had characterized his career to that point.
His time with Arizona continued into 2024, though he was waived by the Cardinals on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was ultimately released by Arizona on December 10, 2024, concluding his tenure with the organization and leaving him seeking a new opportunity heading into the 2025 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ismael has developed a reputation as a fundamentally sound interior offensive lineman with good footwork and awareness at the center position. His experience starting at San Diego State provided him with extensive exposure to various defensive schemes and stunts, preparing him well for the complexity of NFL defenses. His ability to play multiple offensive line positions along the interior adds value to any roster, as teams increasingly prize positional versatility in their depth players.
Notable Events and Milestones
His first career start against the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2021 season stands as a significant milestone, representing the culmination of patience and persistence through his rookie year and early 2021 struggles. Being the fourth starting center for Washington in a single season demonstrated both the challenges the team faced at the position and Ismael’s readiness to answer the call when needed. His draft selection being tied to the Trent Williams trade also connects his career narrative to one of the NFL’s notable roster decisions of recent years.
Keith Edward Ismael Career Achievements
Throughout his football career, Ismael has accumulated recognition for his performance at both the collegiate and professional levels. His collegiate honors reflect his dominance in the Mountain West Conference, while his NFL appearances demonstrate his ability to compete at the highest level of the sport.
College Honors
Ismael’s three-year starting tenure at San Diego State produced consistent recognition from Mountain West Conference coaches and media. He earned second-team All-Mountain West honors as a freshman in 2017, then elevated his play to first-team status for both his sophomore (2018) and junior (2019) seasons. This consecutive first-team recognition established him as one of the top centers in the conference during his collegiate career.
Professional Career Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Ismael has appeared in 31 professional games, starting 5 of those contests. His journey through three NFL organizations has provided him with diverse experience in different offensive systems and locker room environments, contributing to his development as a professional.
| Level | Games Played | Games Started | Honors |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2020–2024) | 31 | 5 | — |
| College (2016–2019) | 40+ | 36 | 2× First-Team All-MWC |
Keith Edward Ismael Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Ismael comes from a distinguished football family with connections spanning multiple levels of the sport. His father, George Ismael, played center at Florida A&M, directly influencing Keith’s development at the same position. This familial connection to the center position provided Keith with unique insights into the technical and mental aspects of the role from an early age.
His uncle, Wilson Faumuina, brings NFL experience to the family, having played five seasons in the league. Another uncle, Tavita Pritchard, transitioned from playing quarterback at Stanford to coaching, currently serving as the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders. This coaching connection within the family has provided additional perspective on the professional game and its strategic elements.
Personal Life
Ismael is of African American, Filipino, Samoan, and Native American descent, reflecting the diverse heritage that has contributed to his identity and personal story. He maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @keithismael. His upbringing in San Francisco and subsequent journey through the football ranks has been documented through various media appearances and interviews that highlight his background and career trajectory.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Keith Ismael remains an unrestricted free agent following his December 2024 release from the Arizona Cardinals. His 31 career NFL game appearances and experience across three organizations provide him with a foundation of professional credibility that could attract interest from teams seeking interior offensive line depth heading into training camp.
The center position continues to be a valued spot on NFL rosters, with many teams seeking players who can provide quality backup play and develop over time. Ismael’s versatility to potentially play guard as well as center makes him an attractive option for teams operating with limited draft capital for offensive line depth. His familiarity with multiple offensive systems through his tenure with Washington, San Francisco, and Arizona demonstrates adaptability that NFL coaches appreciate.
Should Ismael secure a roster spot for the 2025 season, his focus will likely center on demonstrating improved consistency and health to earn more significant playing time. His first career start in 2021 showed promise, and a full offseason with any new team could position him for expanded opportunities. Teams value players with his combination of youth (27 years old), experience, and positional flexibility as they build their offensive line rooms for the season ahead.