Tennessee Vols are about to get a significant official visit from a crucial 5-star recruit in the 2026 class

The Tennessee Vols will receive an extremely important official visit this summer from one of the top recruits in the nation.

According to On3’s Hayes Fawcett, the Volunteers are one of six programs set to receive an official visit from 2026 five-star wide wide receiver Tristen Keys.

LSU, Texas A&M, Miami, Alabama, and Auburn will also receive official visits from Keys.

Notably absent from that list are Ole Miss and Mississippi State (Keys is from Hattiesburg, MS).

Keys, 6-foot-2/175 lbs, is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Mississippi. He’s also rated as the No. 4 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class.

In December, On3’s Chad Simmons made a “way-too-early” prediction for Tennessee to land Keys, thanks in part to the stud wide receiver’s strong relationship with 2026 five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon (Brandon has been committed to the Vols sine August).

Tennessee is definitely a strong contender for Keys, but it doesn’t feel like there’s a true leader for the five-star recruit at this time.

Alabama and Texas A&M, however, loom as the biggest threats to the Vols in this recruiting battle.

LSU, because of their current standing as WRU, should also be viewed as a legitimate threat. And while Ole Miss isn’t set to receive an official visit, the Rebels could easily become a big factor in this battle.

Keys is the type of talent that can help carry an offense to a national championship. Tennessee needs to do everything they can to find a way to bring Keys to Rocky Top. Otherwise, they’ll be tasked with finding a way to stop him if he lands with a rival program.