Alabama Crimson Tide and Kalen DeBoer make unprecedented decision on five star flip target committed to LSU

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 3:40 PM ET

Seeing a top-end prospect eliminating a team from their recruiting race isn't uncommon. But we don't usually see a situation like Tristen Keys' current saga.

The nation's No. 3 overall player and LSU commit is still entertaining a few teams looking to make a pitch for a flip. Alabama was set to host Keys this weekend, but that suddenly changed. On3 reported Keys would instead be headed back to LSU for their annual Bayou Splash event.

However, Keys took to social media to clarify some things. An Alabama-based account posted that NIL was his deciding factor in his journey, and Keys took exception to that.

"All of this is false I (Tristen Keys) did not cancel the OV I got a call after a training session to not come this week. My bags were packed already. Respectfully," Keys responded to the accusation.

All of this is false I (Tristen Keys) did not cancel the OV I got a call after a training session to not come this week. My bags were packed already. Respectfully
— Tristen(TK5)Keys 5⭐️ (@Tkgot5) June 17, 2025

Keys revealed that Alabama actually cancelled on him, essentially giving up in his recruitment efforts. It's not as if the Crimson Tide are desperate for an ace playmaker, as No. 2 receiver Cederian Morgan is all but a lock to commit to the program over Auburn.

Throughout the recruiting process, Keys has shown a lot of love to LSU head coach Brian Kelly.

"They do great things on and off the field. Great coaching staff. They do a good job producing top receivers. They did a pretty good job in the draft last year, both of them. Top receivers had 1,000 yards each...That's something I want to be a part of."

Keys was asked about what Kelly and his staff said to win him over, and what he needed to know before making his decison.

"Knowing that not just me, but me and my family are taken care of, that part. Knowing I have a relationship with the coach on and off the field, being able to talk about ball all day and giving me advice life things like finance or being a grown man."

LSU 5-star WR commit Tristen Keys is no longer expected to visit Alabama this week but will return to Baton Rouge this weekend, @ChadSimmons_ reports

Keys is coming off of official visits to Texas A&M, Tennessee and Miami.

Read: https://t.co/Q6ryYxnsYu pic.twitter.com/2IURia2Wp2
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 17, 2025

Here's how Keys' game has been described by Bryce Koon.

Keys is a potential game-wrecker on the outside with high-end ball skills that mirror those of CeeDee Lamb. A three-level separator who averaged 21.9 yards per catch this past fall for a Hattiesburg program that played for a Mississippi Class 6A championship, Keys can eat up cushion with his lanky stride before breaking off defensive backs with sudden cuts. He has the bounce to make acrobatic grabs look almost routine and is surprisingly shifty in traffic.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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