When you are a five-star prospect coming off high school, there are offers galore for you! That’s what is happening with Tristen Keys, the No. 1 receiver in the 2026 class. The program vying for his signature came from across the country; the list included some prominent Big 10 and SEC teams. The likes of Texas A&M, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Nebraska and Tennessee. When you are spoiled for choices, how do you make a decision? It comes down to connections.

As per Matt Ray of Volquest, among all the offers, Tennessee might be on the cards for Tristen Keys. While on the On3 Recruits show, Ray said, “I think Tennessee has done an excellent job of recruiting him early on. You know, a talented wide receiver out of Mississippi, that can stretch the field vertically and do a lot of different things. He has a strong connection with Faizon Brandon and this Tennessee coaching staff.”

How does a connection with Brandon help the Vols’ case? Well, Faizon is the no. 1 QB in the 2026 class, the same class as Tristen. And you know how tight-knit a QB-WR connection can be. Moreover, the Vols already got Faizon Brandon’s commitment in August 2024. That also explains how the Keys’ recruitment has panned out. The Vols have been in touch with him regularly, and the WR also paid the program for an unofficial visit back in October. Imagine the duo lighting it up Neyland Stadium in the years to come?

While Tennessee does hold an edge at the moment, as we mentioned, there are other schools also heavily recruiting Keys, such as Texas A&M, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Oregon. There also seems to be a battle between Tennessee and Ole Miss, with Mississippi being Keys’ home state. The interest from Big 10 has also not stopped. Recently, Tristen took to his X account that he received an offer from the University of Wisconsin. Add to that his visit to Alabama. The Vols better secure his commitment fast.

Top Tennessee Vols recruiting target making waves at the Polynesian Bowl

Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers have already done a brilliant job of landing the top-ranked quarterback of the class of 2026, Faizon Brandon. Now, they are looking for a target for Brandon to throw the ball to, and Tristen Keys is the prospect they’ve set their eyes on as he continues to shine on the field.

The Hattiesburg wide receiver is further making his stronger as he is now standing out at the Polynesian Bowl All-Star game set up at Hawaii this week. So much so, that 247 Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins was full of appreciation for the youngster’s performance after the first day of practices ahead of Friday’s big game.

Biggins said, “You could make a case, right now, he’s the best receiver in the 2026 (class). High-level body control. Six-two, six-three frame. Fluid in the way he moves. Strong hands and body control. Catches the ball through contact. The game just looks so easy for him. Love the way he competes.” Keys is a major target for the Vols and is one of the highly touted recruits ranked as the top wide receiver in the country. We’ll have to wait and see if Tennessee can be a frontrunner and land Keys or will he end up at any other top team?