Titans Release Former Vols Receiver Ramel Keyton Just One Week After Signing Him Amid Intense Camp Competition
In a move that underscores the unforgiving nature of life in the National Football League, the Tennessee Titans have released wide receiver Ramel Keyton just one week after signing the former University of Tennessee standout to their 90-man offseason roster. The decision came as the Titans continued to evaluate their wide receiver depth chart during a highly competitive training camp in Nashville, where every practice snap, route run, and blocking assignment has the potential to tip the scales between opportunity and release. Keyton’s abrupt exit from Titans camp serves as a stark reminder of just how narrow the margin is for players trying to establish themselves in the league—particularly those fighting from the bottom of the roster.
Keyton, who enjoyed a solid collegiate career in Knoxville as a reliable deep threat and route-runner, had hoped to parlay his familiarity with the state, fan base, and competitive SEC pedigree into a developmental opportunity with the Titans. For a brief time, that dream was within reach. Signed just a week prior as the Titans sought to add depth to their receiver room in advance of joint practices and preseason action, Keyton was looking to earn favor in a position group that remains in flux beyond the top starters.
But in the hyper-accelerated world of NFL training camps, time is both precious and perilous. Every day brings roster reshuffling, injuries, signings, and a constant cycle of evaluations that leave little room for adjustment—especially for fringe players who must produce quickly to make an impression. For Keyton, the short time in camp did not produce the momentum needed to extend his stay in Nashville, and the team ultimately chose to part ways, making room for other roster needs as preseason preparations ramp up.
The Titans have not offered a detailed public explanation for the move, but such decisions are typically based on a combination of factors, including positional depth, special teams utility, practice performance, and emerging needs at other positions. With 90 players competing for 53 final roster spots—and the added layer of 16 practice squad positions—each rep is scrutinized, and decisions can shift daily based on injuries, scheme fits, and even minor setbacks in execution or learning the playbook. For Keyton, the clock simply ran out before he could carve a role.
The timing of the release is especially poignant given his ties to the state of Tennessee. Keyton spent five seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers, arriving as a four-star recruit out of Georgia and gradually working his way into the Vols’ rotation. While never a statistical superstar, he developed into a dependable target, particularly under head coach Josh Heupel’s high-octane offense. His height (6-foot-3), body control, and sure hands made him a reliable downfield option, and he was often praised by teammates and coaches for his work ethic and locker room presence.
His most productive collegiate season came in 2022, when he emerged as a consistent contributor during Tennessee’s breakout 11–2 campaign that included a win over Alabama and an Orange Bowl victory. Keyton caught multiple touchdowns that year and made several highlight-reel grabs that hinted at his potential to play on Sundays. His performance earned him a chance to participate in pre-draft workouts and pro days, where scouts evaluated his speed, separation skills, and special teams upside.
Despite those flashes and a solid college résumé, Keyton went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft—a reflection of the incredibly deep wide receiver class and the tough transition from college systems to the complexities of NFL route trees, press coverage, and blocking schemes. Still, undrafted does not mean unworthy. Many players who take the long road to NFL relevance begin exactly where Keyton did: on the margins, hoping to make just enough of an impression to stick.
His signing with the Titans was viewed as a low-risk, high-upside move—a homegrown talent with size and SEC experience who might develop into a reliable backup or special teams contributor. Fans, particularly those who followed him closely at Neyland Stadium, were intrigued by the fit and hopeful that Keyton might become another Vol who made the jump to the Titans successfully.
But this is the time of year when sentimentality is pushed aside in favor of roster fluidity and cold, strategic choices. Titans head coach Brian Callahan, in his first year leading the team, has emphasized competition and accountability throughout camp. No spot is guaranteed, and the team has made it clear that every player, regardless of draft status or past résumé, must earn his way into the final group. For players like Keyton, that means taking full advantage of limited reps—whether in individual drills, 7-on-7 work, or special teams units.
The decision to release Keyton also comes at a time when the Titans are actively reshaping their receiver room around emerging star Treylon Burks, veteran DeAndre Hopkins, and new additions like Tyler Boyd. Behind them, several young players—including second-year receiver Colton Dowell, practice squad holdover Kearis Jackson, and undrafted free agents—are vying for limited spots. The competition is fierce, and the Titans appear to be prioritizing players who can contribute in multiple phases, especially on coverage teams and return units.
Keyton’s release will likely be disappointing to fans of both the Titans and Volunteers, but it doesn’t necessarily close the door on his NFL aspirations. Across the league, wide receiver depth is always in flux, especially as injuries mount during the preseason. Teams will continue evaluating tape from camp and pro days, and players like Keyton—who have the physical tools and college production—often land new opportunities with teams in need of bodies as the regular season nears. Practice squads, particularly, offer a chance for players to stay close to the league and continue developing.
In the meantime, Keyton will need to stay ready—mentally and physically—for his next opportunity. Whether that comes via another NFL training camp, a mid-season workout, or a potential stint in the UFL or CFL, his journey is far from over. Many players who are cut early in camp eventually resurface stronger, more prepared, and more determined. The challenge now becomes turning this setback into motivation for the next chapter.
As for the Titans, the move frees up a roster spot that could be used to address other needs, such as defensive line depth, offensive tackle help, or special teams coverage. With preseason games just around the corner, roster decisions will become even more frequent, and each addition or subtraction is part of a broader strategy to mold a balanced, competitive roster that can withstand the marathon of the NFL season.
The release of Ramel Keyton, just a week after he signed, is a sobering but familiar part of the professional football grind. It reflects not just the immense pressure on players trying to make their way, but also the fluidity with which teams must operate in pursuit of success. Every year, dozens of similar stories unfold across the league—stories of talented, hardworking athletes who come up just short due to timing, circumstance, or the brutal math of roster limits.
Yet those same stories also carry the potential for redemption. For Keyton, the focus now shifts to what comes next. Whether it’s a second chance with another team or a different path through the world of professional football, his career is not defined by a one-week stint—it’s shaped by what he does from here.
In the NFL, the window is small, the competition fierce, and the journey uncertain. But for players like Ramel Keyton, who’ve already defied odds to reach this point, each chapter—no matter how brief—is part of a larger story still being written.
