Tennessee Is Looking To Steal The Nation’s No. 1 Receiver Away From LSU
Image: Tristen Keys
By Cody McClure
Josh Heupel is quietly building an elite recruiting class for 2026.
While the Vols currently only have nine players committed, two of those are 5-star prospects — quarterback Faizon Brandon, the top player in all of America, and offensive tackle Gabriel Osenda.
And there’s a third 5-star commitment potentially on the horizon with interior offensive lineman Darius Gray having recently visited UT.
That visit seemed to go quite well as Gray now has the Vols at the top of his list.
How about a fourth 5-star? Could that be possible?
Tennessee will host future star wide receiver Tristen Keys for an official visit on campus this weekend.
Keys is an undeniable blue-chip prospect, rated as the No. 1 wide receiver in the ‘26 class and the No. 3 national prospect overall in the 247 Sports Composite.
On3 Sports has Keys rated as the nation’s top receiver, as well, and the No. 5 prospect overall.
The Hattiesburg, Mississippi native has been committed to LSU since March 19th.
Keys is expected to ink an NIL package that will pay him between $500,000 and $1 million as a freshman, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
One more somewhat interesting note on this story that may or may not matter — Keys recently signed an NIL deal with Adidas.
Could Tennessee’s potential apparel move to Adidas have anything to do with their recruiting of Keys?
If it happens, could it help flip him from LSU? Or would that even matter at all?
Just a thought.