Tennessee Football Pushing to Poach Projected $523,000 Star Playmaker From LSU

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated May 28, 2025 6:54 PM ET

The Tennessee Volunteers are potentially closing in on several key prospects on the 2026 recruiting trail. But the program also hasn't given up on one receiver who is already committed to an SEC foe.

Five-star wide receiver commit Tristen Keys is committed to the LSU Tigers. But the Volunteers are trying hard to flip the coveted playmaker.

"LSU five-star wide receiver commit Tristen Keys will take official visits and Tennessee is expected to receive one in the middle of June," Simmons wrote. "At one time, the Vols were the favorite.

"The staff hasn’t let up and his connection with the people in Knoxville is strong."

Keys, who has a $523,000 NIL value according to On3, is the consensus top receiver in the 2026 class.

The 247 Sports composite rankings have Keys rated as the No. 1 receiver and top Mississippi recruit for 2026. The wideout is also the No. 3 prospect overall in the class according to the composite rankings.

Tennessee #Vols commit Faizon Brandon continues to peer recruit five-star WR Tristen Keys.

I don’t think any other QB commit is doing this with Keys as well as Brandon is. pic.twitter.com/GNm0Ewtrcg
— Caleb Sisk (@CalebSisk_) March 6, 2025

The Volunteers have competition for trying to flip the five-star receiver.

On3's Steve Wiltfong reported Tuesday that Keys will visit the Miami Hurricanes during the weekend of May 31.

Other schools are also in the mix for the five-star wideout.

"Beyond Miami, LSU will have to work to hold off the likes of Alabama, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Auburn for Keys," Wiltfong wrote. "Ole Miss is also trying to keep the blue-chipper in-state."

The Volunteers could have an advantage over those other schools thanks to the quarterback commit the program has already received for 2026. Faizon Brandon, who is The 247 Sports rankings No. 1 signal-caller, gave a verbal commitment to Tennessee.

Brandon and Keys could team together to become a lethal combination with the Volunteers.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: