Recruiting analyst points out the program that's the Tennessee Vols' biggest competition for 2026 5-star WR Tristen Keys
The Tennessee Vols are one of the programs that's viewed as a serious threat to land 2026 five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys. Keys, 6-foot-3/180 lbs from Hattiesburg, MS, is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 4 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. The […]
The Tennessee Vols are one of the programs that's viewed as a serious threat to land 2026 five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys.
Keys, 6-foot-3/180 lbs from Hattiesburg, MS, is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 4 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class.
The highly coveted recruit was in Knoxville this past weekend and various reports indicated that the visit went extremely well (2026 five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, a Vols commit, was also in Knoxville for a visit this past weekend…which certainly helped Tennessee's pursuit of Keys).
"They are doing a great job," said Keys to 247Sports of Tennessee. "I like the way they're recruiting me. They are doing a great job, though. From Day one, I fell in love with the coaches. Coach (Josh) Heupel, (wide receivers) coach (Kelsey) Pope, (offensive coordinator and quarterbacks) coach (Joey) Halzle, those guys are great."
There are some folks who think that Tennessee is the favorite to win this recruiting battle.
247Sports' Tom Loy noted this week that he still thinks Keys is "leaning toward the Vols", while also pointing out that this battle has "tightened up quite a bit".
Specifically, Loy has Alabama running close behind the Volunteers in the race for Keys.
"Alabama is the school that I'd list as a very close second," wrote Loy.
Keys is hoping to make his decision in late June or early July. Official visits later this spring/summer will play a big role in determining who wins this intense recruiting battle.
