Receiver Tristen Keys, the second highest rated signee in Tennessee football’s 2026 signing class, has officially arrived on campus as he early enrolls and prepares to go through spring practice.
Knock Knock Knoxville 🍊🍊🍊 pic.twitter.com/ezLRM1mNhZ
— Tristen(TK5)Keys 5⭐️ (@Tkgot5) January 13, 2026
Keys was the second highest rated signee in the Vols’ 2026 signing class behind only five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon. The 6-foot-1 receiver ranks as a five-star and the No. 11 recruit in the 2026 recruiting cycle according to the 247sports composite rankings. He also ranks as the No. 2 receiver and the top player in the state of Mississippi.
The blue-chip receiver originally committed to LSU over Tennessee in March before flipping his commitment to the Vols in August. Keys took official visits to Miami, Texas A&M, Tennessee and LSU over the summer following his commitment to the Tigers. Tennessee and Texas A&M were both legit contenders to flip the best prep receiver in the country, but it was Heupel, Kelsey Pope and the Vols that ended up getting the job done.
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Keys has a chance to make an early impact at Tennessee next season. The Vols return starting receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley but lose go-to pass catcher Chris Brazzell to the NFL Draft.
The five-star freshman will come in and compete with second-year receivers Radarious Jackson and Travis Smith Jr. Both Jackson and Smith missed time with injuries as true freshmen this past season but served as backups behind Matthews and Brazzell.
Jackson caught nine passes for 90 yards over the course of the season while Smith caught three passes for 29 yards. Unless Tennessee adds another receiver to its roster via the transfer portal later this offseason, Smith, Jackson and Keys will compete for the third starting receiver spot next season.
Tennessee did add Oklahoma State receiver Gavin Freeman out of the transfer portal over the weekend, but the 5-foot-8 receiver plays in the slot. He’s in line to back up Staley and return punts for the Vols next season.
