Tennessee’s Top WR Commit Loses No. 1 Spot in Latest Rivals Rankings

Image: Tristen Keys/Instagram

By Aidan Sidoti

In a totally unsurprising development, Tennessee wide receiver commit Tristen Keys saw a noticeable shift in his recruiting ranking as Rivals–led by Charles Power–unveiled its updated Rivals300 rankings on Monday.

Keys, once ranked as the No. 15 overall prospect and widely viewed as the top receiver in the 2026 cycle, has dropped to No. 19 nationally and lost his WR1 status in the latest rankings. 

Considered a shot at becoming a five-star, Keys remains a four-star on Rivals and now the No. 2 wide receiver in the nation behind Auburn commit Jase Mathews.

Other outlets such as 247Sports, still lists Keys as a five-star and No. 1 ranked wideout– a ranking many believe he deserves. 

The 6-foot-2.5, 180 pound star out of Hattiesburg, Mississippi flipped to Tennessee from SEC rival LSU on Aug. 28.

Despite the rankings drop, Keys remains a cornerstone of the Vols’ 2026 class, alongside Faizon Brandon, and his flip from LSU stands as a major recruiting win for Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope.

Whether he reclaims the WR1 title or not, Keys will have every opportunity to prove his standing during his senior campaign at Hattiesburg High School.