2026 five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys is one of the Tennessee Vols' top recruiting targets. 

Keys, 6-foot-2/175 lbs from Hattiesburg, MS, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Mississippi. He's also rated as the No. 4 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. 

Over the last few months, Tennessee has been viewed as one of the favorites to land Keys. 

On3's Chad Simmons, in fact, made a "way-too-early" prediction in December for the Vols to win the recruiting battle for Keys (though Simmons noted that his confidence level is "low" in that prediction). 

"Tristen Keys will be one of the most coveted playmakers in the 2026 class, and like most, it will be hard for him to get out of the state of Mississippi," wrote Simmons in late December. "Texas A&M is one to watch with Ole Miss and Mississippi State working hard to keep him home. Southern Miss is in his backyard and the Eagles recently re-offered, but Tennessee has done a great job in recent months. They have built strong relationships, he has taken visits to Knoxville and he has started to bond with other commits, like quarterback commit Faizon Brandon."

While the Volunteers are certainly in a good spot for Keys, this battle will be determined by how Keys' official visits go over the next several months. 

Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Miami, Tennessee, and Texas A&M, for now, are the programs that are set to receive official visits from Keys. 

Texas, USC, and Michigan could also receive visits from Keys in the coming months. 

When does Tristen Keys plan to announce his commitment? 

Tennessee fans won't have to wait too much longer to find out if the Vols win this high-profile recruiting battle. 

Keys told 247Sports this week that he plans to announce his commitment sometime this summer — likely before August. 

"I think it will be some time before August, but probably some time in June or July," said Keys to 247Sports. 

Keys is a must-get player for the Vols if the program is truly going to compete for championships moving forward. Tennessee is hoping that the presence of five-star Vols quarterback commit Faizon Brandon, who has a good relationship with Keys, can help Josh Heupel and his coaching staff close the deal with the elite wide receiver. 

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