Tennessee is once again being talked about in the news cycle for prized 2026 wide receiver recruit Tristen Keys.
Keys, a blue-chip five-star prospect in the 2026 class, is one of the top players in the entire cycle. He’s the cream of the crop when it comes to the wide receiver rankings, being listed as the No. 1 WR by both 247 Sports and Rivals. He’s also been at the center of one of the most talked-about recruitments of the summer.
The Mississippi native has been committed to LSU since March, but that hasn’t slowed him down from continuing his recruitment process. He’s spoken with other teams and taken other visits as he narrows down on his 2026 destination.
Tennessee has been one of the leading teams in trying to get Keys to flip commitments before signing day. And now, according to a report from On3 Sports’ Chad Simmons, it looks like the Vols are the leading team in that pursuit.
Simmons’ latest report for On3 on Wednesday suggests that Tennessee is viewed as “LSU’s top competition heading into the season.” He also notes that the communication between Keys and Tennessee has remained “strong.”
It is important to note LSU’s side of the battle, though. Simmons’ report states that “the Tigers feel good about their place with Keys” despite the ongoing push from other programs such as Miami, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.
But with Keys reportedly expected to continue taking visits in the fall, Tennessee may feel pretty good internally about its chances to flip the nation’s top receiver. It would also give Tennessee the ability to pair him up with five-star quarterback commit Faizon Brandon, who has been the longstanding cornerstone of the Vols’ class. Brandon and Keys reportedly have a strong relationship and were both in Knoxville for official visits on June 13.
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As a junior at Hattiesburg High School in Hattiesburg, MS, in 2024, Keys hauled in 58 receptions for 1,275 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s got a knack for creating separation from the secondary and making big plays, which are traits that Josh Heupel is always looking for to bolster his offensive scheme.
Like many of these reports with Keys and Tennessee, some in the fanbase will view them as extremely optimistic, while others will reserve their excitement until something more concrete happens down the road, such as a de-commitment or an outright flip. But either way, it does show that Tennessee is keeping its foot firmly on the gas pedal for Keys despite his commitment to LSU back in March. The Vols are building a massive recruiting class, and they certainly want him to be a shining part of it.
Here’s a look at some of the talent that Tristen Keys has in his bag:
