‘His confidence is starting to grow…he’s 100 percent healthy’ – Vols insider drops quote on true freshman that has Tennessee fans salivating
The Tennessee Volunteers have several true freshmen who could make an impact this fall.
The Tennessee Vols have an interesting battle brewing for the No. 3 wide receiver job.
Third-year receivers Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews are locked in as the top two options in the passing game. But there’s a logjam of talent behind them battling for the No. 3 job.
Sophomore Radarious Jackson entered the offseason as the favorite to win the job after he flashed as a true freshman. Fellow sophomore Travis Smith Jr, however, has gotten off to a good start in fall camp and is pushing Jackson.
And then there’s Tristen “TK” Keys, the five-star true freshman who was rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2026 recruiting class.
TK Keys is healthy and he’s impressing
Keys’ time at Tennessee got off to a slow start due to being limited during spring practice.
But he’s now 100 percent healthy, and he’s turning heads in fall camp.
“I think TK Keys is a guy that you’re watching every day on the practice field,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs Wednesday on 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will. “He looks a little different every day because his confidence is starting to grow. He’s healthy. He’s 100 percent healthy. He’s making some plays.
“You can just tell with guys when the light bulb is starting to flicker a little brighter, and it’s starting to come on a little bit. There’s a little bit of a different pep in your step. You’re moving to the front of the line a little faster because you know the answer to the question a little bit more. And I think TK Keys is starting to feel like he’s got the answers to the questions. The physical ability has always been there. I think once you get the confidence to [pair] with those physical traits, then you see a guy who’s looking to do more. I think you’re seeing a guy (in Keys) do more every day on the practice field from a production standpoint.”
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vols go with Jackson or Smith as the third wide receiver to start the season — simply because of the experience factor — but it’s becoming quite clear that Keys is going to be a player who makes an impact for Tennessee this fall.
