ESPN puts one of the Tennessee Vols' top 2026 5-star recruiting targets on 'flip watch'

For much of the winter, the Tennessee Vols were viewed as one of the favorites to land 2026 five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys. 

That's why it was quite a surprise when Keys unexpectedly committed to the LSU Tigers in March. 

Keys, 6-foot-3/180 lbs from Hattisburg, Ms., is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 4 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class. 

Despite his commitment to LSU, Keys is still taking recruiting visits. Tennessee is one of the programs that will receive an official visit from Keys this month. 

With that in mind, ESPN has put Keys on "flip watch" as we enter the biggest recruiting month of the year. 

From ESPN: Keys has been the top-ranked member of the Tigers' 2026 class since March 19, but the LSU pledge hasn't kept ESPN's No. 2 wide receiver from taking other visits. After spring trips to Auburn, Miami, Ole Miss and Texas A&M, Keys was back at Miami for an official over the weekend.

Following his Hurricanes visit, sources tell ESPN that Keys will get to Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Texas A&M for officials this month before his June 20 trip to LSU. As Keys keeps his recruitment, coach Brian Kelly's ability to hang onto five-star talent will be tested again this cycle.

2026 five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon, who has been committed to the Vols since August, has been recruiting Keys to Tennessee for months. 

And Keys is a fan of Brandon. 

"They (Tennessee) do a good job at the quarterback position," said Keys to On3 earlier this spring. "They got Faizon (Brandon) up there....They do a great job recruiting quarterbacks and you want somebody that can spin the ball when you’re a wide receiver.”

This recruiting battle is far from over, and the Vols are very much in the mix. Tennessee, however, will likely need to pony up plenty of NIL cash to truly have a chance to land the highly coveted wide receiver.