2026 5-star WR Tristen Keys makes strong statement about the way the Tennessee Vols are recruiting him

The Tennessee Vols are one of several programs still in the mix for 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. 3 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. 

The Mississippi native has been committed to the LSU Tigers since March. 

Tennessee was viewed as one of the favorites for Keys earlier this spring, which is why it came as a surprise to many on Rocky Top when he committed to LSU seemingly out of nowhere. 

Keys, despite his commitment to LSU, is still keeping in touch with other programs. 

And Tennessee is one of those programs. 

Keys, in fact, told On3 this week that Tennessee is the program that is recruiting him the hardest right now. 

“Tennessee recruits me the hardest," said Keys to On3. "They are on me every day. Coach (Kelsey) Pope and Coach (Josh) Heupel are cool guys. Faizon Brandon is my boy too. Coach Pope is one of my favorite coaches and they have been on me hard for a long time.”

Keys is the type of game-changing instant impact type of player that Tennessee needs to land in order to truly compete for national championships. 

The Vols could still win this recruiting battle -- Josh Heupel and his staff are certainly doing everything they can to convince Keys to come to Knoxville -- but Tennessee isn't the only program that's a big threat to LSU. 

Keys is big on Miami. It wouldn't be a surprise at all if the U comes out on top in this battle. 

There's still a long way to go until the early signing period begins in December, and nothing will be settled when it comes to Keys until then.