Recruiting expert not confident that LSU will be able to hang on to elite commit amidst large demand from notable NIL programs

When it comes to wide receiver development, there may not be a better college football program than the LSU Tigers. Names like Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson quickly come to mind, and have continued to help recruit the position to Baton Rouge no matter who the head coach is. They have history on their side, […]

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer

May 28, 2025 12:32 PM EDT

2026 LSU wide receiver commit Tristen Keys — 247 Sports

Head coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers staff received a tremendous commitment back in March from Hattiesburg (Miss.) High School five-star wideout Tristen Keys. The 6-2, 180-pound pass catcher has been considered one of the top wide receivers in the 2026 recruiting class. He is currently rated as the No. 3 overall player and No. wide receiver in the class according to the 247Sports Composite ranking.

Even with the history behind LSU, keeping Keys in the class wasn’t going to be easy for the Tigers. On3 vice president of recruiting Steve Wiltfong joined the On3 Recruits YouTube channel to play a game called “Stick or Flip.” Wiltfong chose not to answer the question directly, which didn’t feel overly positive for LSU.

“Well, I think there is a lot of confidence around Baton Rouge that he will stick, and they have been up and down on the stick or flip game themselves,” Wiltfong said. “Tristen Keys is the most highly coveted wide receiver in the country and he took a bunch of visits after he committed to LSU, but they were previously scheduled trips. Miami, the wide receiver position remains a major focal point for them.

He has visited a couple of times now,” Wiltfong continued. “They are a program I am certainly watching, and then you have Ole Miss. Texas A&M is another program that will be juiced up in that recruitment. LSU is going to have to battle to keep him. He has always loved the Tigers, what they have done historically at the position, the coaches they have on staff now, the offense, how he feels in Baton Rouge, the closeness to home, but there are some programs that are going to give him a run and give him a lot to think about.”

The question about Keys was the only recruit that Wiltfong didn’t have a vote for. Whether it’s Miami or one of the other prominent programs with huge NIL backings, you can bet they won’t let up for Keys. It is a long way until national signing day in December.