Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Tennessee Vols go viral for their attempt to flip a 5-star football recruit from an SEC rival

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 8:05 PM ET

The Tennessee Vols are going viral this week for their attempt to flip an elite 2026 five-star recruit from an SEC rival.

Tennessee hosted 2026 five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys on a visit this past weekend.

Keys, who is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation, has been committed to the LSU Tigers since March.

The Vols went all out on Keys' recent visit to Rocky Top, which caught ESPN's attention.

Tennessee put Keys in full uniform and brought him into the locker room which was equipped with flashing lights and music (and a crowd).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SportsCenter NEXT (@sportscenternext)

“I’d say my relationship and connections with the fanbase, the coaches, pretty much everything," said Keys to On3 after his visit. "I love what they do. I love Tennessee."

Texas A&M and Miami are also in the mix to flip Keys from LSU, so Tennessee is facing some stiff competition.

The Vols, however, are viewed as having as good of a chance as any school to flip the highly coveted five-star recruit.

"I don't think he's ever been just a stone cold, absolute lock with LSU. I think there's always been a possibility that he's a guy who could flip," said VolQuest's Brent Hubbs last week during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone. "And certainly Tennessee has been in it with him for a long time. So Tennessee is as good of a candidate to flip him as any other school in the country is."

Keys will return to Baton Rouge next weekend. We should have a much better idea of where the Vols stand for Keys after that visit.

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

More must-reads: