The future of the SEC landscape added another chapter Thursday night as the nation’s top 2026 wide receiver, Tristen Keys, flipped his commitment from one SEC program to another.
A 6-2.5, 180-pound pass-catching machine out of Hattiesburg (Miss.), Keys flipped from LSU to Tennessee in a move that could have ramifications on the conference for the foreseeable future.
Advertisement
Not only does Josh Heupel have the No. 1 receiver in the 2026 class according to 247Sports, but the Volunteers also have the No. 1 overall player and quarterback.
Grimsley (N.C.) signal-caller Faizon Brandon has been committed to Tennessee since last August. Brandon played an instrumental part in Keys’ decision, with the two connecting multiple times throughout the spring and summer.
The two last met up on June 13 when they took their official visits to Knoxville together.
Keys, who wa selected as part of the ALL-USA Football Team Watchlist for the Southeast region, rounded out his official visit list with one to Baton Rouge the following week. But that trip to Knoxville and the opportunity to connect with the nation’s top 2026 quarterback appeared to be more than enough to sway him away from the Tigers.
Advertisement
LSU struggles to maintain top-tier talent
For LSU fans, the last few years have now consisted of nothing but heartbreak and frustration.
While the Tigers have still recruited well, the gems of each of their last two classes all ended up flipping to somewhere.
Their biggest heartbreak come with five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 player in the 2025 class.
Committing to the Tigers in January of last year, it looked like Underwood would be headed to Baton Rouge as his senior season began to dwindle down. That wouldn’t be the case as he would suddenly flip from LSU to Michigan on November 21.
Advertisement
Now Underwood has been named the starter for the Wolverines entering the 2025 season.
Keys also isn’t the first five-star receiver to recently flip from the Tigers.
Duncanville (Texas) standout Dakorien Moore committed to LSU in August of 2023. He remained committed to LSU all the way through his junior season before decommitting on May 16 and committing to Oregon on July 4.
Keys’ decision also flipped Tennessee and LSU in 247’s latest recruiting rankings. The Vols sit with the No. 8 class in the cycle and No. 5 class in the SEC while LSU sits at No. 11 nationally and No. 6 in the conference.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys flips from LSU to Tennessee
