LSU Tigers and Brian Kelly aiming to keep top five star recruit away from SEC rivals as their next Justin Jefferson
When a five star wide receiver recruit is up for grabs every single college football program chases after them hard. Not every program can even reach the point of being truly considered by such players, but LSU is firmly in the mix for the highest rated wide receiver recruit in the 2026 recruiting class.
Unfortunately, several SEC programs look like they’re still being considered too. However, there is good news. Brian Kelly and his staff are set to have multiple opportunities to make their best pitch this spring and summer to land this five star wide receiver who could possibly become their next Justin Jefferson.
Tristen Keys, Five Star WR Recruit
Tristen Keys debuted as a highly rated four star wide receiver recruit according to all the major college football recruiting services in the spring of 2024 after a wildly impressive sophomore season. Then after scouts around the country began getting a closer look and he continued flashing unreal playmaking ability last fall he quickly skyrocketed up to WR1 status in the entire 2026 class.
With Keys’ recruiting decision looming quite soon now, he’s narrowed his search down to a handful of schools based on his upcoming visit schedule. And as multiple reports have confirmed now, Keys is set to visit LSU not once, but at least twice this spring and summer.
Tristen Keys just announced that he will be visiting Tennessee (March 10), LSU (March 18), Texas A&M (March 29), and Michigan (April 5). All four schools still look as though they’re firmly in the mix, but there are more finalists than just that too.
Ole Miss (as his in-state school) and Lane Kiffin have actually logged the most official points of physical contact with him over the past two years. Alabama and Auburn both just hosted Keys within the the last month too.
Keys also confirmed that he plans to officially visit up to six (perhaps even seven) schools this summer too. Those likeliest to receive officials? Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Miami, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and perhaps Ole Miss if he gives the in-state school one more shot.
Why is half the SEC trying to push so hard for Keys? He’s one of the most explosive wide receivers in the nation who averaged over 21 yards per reception last fall. Keys is a versatile, do-it-all athlete who dominates track & field (third place in state high jump) and the basketball court as well. He truly is one of the most special athletes in the nation with a long lean frame reminiscent of Justin Jefferson in his time with LSU.
Brian Kelly and his staff have not hosted Tristen Keys as much as a few of their SEC rivals have, so they’ll need to make up a bit of ground before they’re considered a true top choice for him, but there’s still time. Let’s just hope Keys looks at all the recent success LSU has had with sending elite wide receivers to the league. That might make his decision quite simple.
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If you want to check out how special Tristen Keys really is you can watch his full season highlights from last fall in the video below!
