5-Star Tristen Keys Sparks Hope for Josh Heupel as Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M Refuse to Back Down

Tristen Keys, the 5-star wideout from Hattiesburg, has every offer at his fingertips, but now, it’s decision time. With a height of 6’3″ and weight of 180 pounds, 247Sports ranks Keys as the No. 1 WR and No. 4 overall player in the 2026 class. However, On3 lists him as the No. 3 prospect, making him one of the most sought-after recruits in the country.

And while the SEC remains the favorite, with Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Bama in a fierce battle, Miami is making a strong push. But now, the script has flipped—Tristen just dropped a major update on his future.

On March 18, On3 Recruits’ X post sent a jolt of excitement through Tennessee fans. Well, five-star wideout Tristen Keys, the top overall prospect at last weekend’s Overtime OT7 event, opened up about the programs making the biggest impact in his recruitment. And then mentioning that one school, making waves, Keys told On3’s Steve Wiltfong, “I haven’t quite found that No. 1 right now. I’d say Tennessee is going at it real hard. I’d say Tennessee is going harder than anyone else.”

Safe to say, that’s music to Josh Heupel’s ears.

As of now, Heupel’s Vols are making a strong push for Tristen Keys and emerging as a serious contender in his recruitment. The 5-star WR visited Knoxville this past weekend, and by all accounts, the trip couldn’t have gone better.

While the excitement was real, Keys shared, “I love the coaching staff. They get along well. They create relationships with the players. That’s important. You want that position coach you can go to and not just talk ball.”

But he didn’t stop there and explained, pointing out, “I like the way they’re recruiting me. They are doing a great job, though. From Day one, I fell in love with the coaches. Coach (Josh) Heupel, (wide receivers) coach (Kelsey) Pope, (offensive coordinator and quarterbacks) coach (Joey) Halzle, those guys are great.”

So, Keys’ recruitment is heating up, and a few programs are turning up the pressure. “Tennessee is doing a very great job. I just left there on a three-day visit. LSU is doing a great job, and so is Bama. They’ve been doing a great job in recruiting me, as well as Texas A&M. Those four have been going harder than everyone else,” stated Keys.

But the race is far from over, because Miami, Michigan, Auburn, and Texas are all making a strong push. And on Saturday, Keys made their own statement—rocking Miami gloves and shoes while competing. So, the Hurricanes are very much in the mix. But Tom Loy of 247Sports noted that the race has “tightened up quite a bit,” and he still sees Keys “leaning toward the Vols.”

However, Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M aren’t backing down, making Keys’ recruitment a fierce battle for the Vols.

The recruitment trail of Tristen Keys

The numbers don’t lie—Tristen Keys is a game-changer. Safe to say, with 25 offers in hand, he holds the power to choose from the nation’s best. But Alabama isn’t backing down, and the Tide made a strong impression during his Junior Day visit earlier this year. And following that, Keys stated, “That visit was big for me. Alabama is doing a great job now. I have liked Alabama for a while, but everything clicked on that visit.”

But it’s not just Alabama—LSU is making a serious push for Tristen Keys. The Tigers have positioned themselves as a top contender, with Keys locking in an official visit for March 18. On top of that, his admiration for LSU’s coaching staff and vision for the program speaks volumes. However, as his recruitment heats up, the Tigers stay in the fight, hopeful of landing the electrifying five-star playmaker.

However, Tristen Keys is no stranger to College Station. Texas A&M is a place he’s been to several times, and he’ll be back on March 29. But the Aggies have his attention, thanks in part to Holmon Wiggins’ strong track record with WRs. But it’s more than just coaching.

Keys feels the energy in Aggieland. “They have a great atmosphere too, and A&M has been high on my list for a while,” he shared. As of now, with another visit on deck, the Aggies are making their case loud and clear.

Now, let’s see which SEC team or non-SEC team can land this standout athlete.