…for now at least
LSU made a big statement in the 2026 recruiting cycle as Tristan Keys, the No. 1 wide receiver in the country, announced his commitment to LSU.
Keys committed to LSU after visiting Baton Rouge this week. He picked the Tigers over programs like Tennessee, Alabama, Texas A&M, and Miami. Hailing from Hattiesburg, Keys is the No. 1 player in the state of Mississippi and On3’s composite rankings have him as the No. 3 overall prospect in the country.
“LSU has produced a lot of top receivers and I see them at WRU,” Keys told On3’s Chad Simmons. I talk to coach Hankton a lot and it is a place I am very familiar with. I want to keep building my bond with them.”
If you’re skeptical about Keys’ commitment, I can’t say I blame you. LSU was literally in this exact same spot a year ago with DK Moore, who funnily enough was also the No. 3 overall player in his class. Moore had said of LSU “I’ve been wanting to play there since I was little, so you can’t change my dream.” Evidently someone did, because Moore spurned LSU for Oregon.
But maybe things are different now that 1) revenue sharing appears to be on the way to at least somewhat ease NIL getting even more ridiculous and 2) LSU seems to have learned its lesson from the Bryce Underwood recruitment and are preparing to spend with the heavyweights.
It’s also probably not a coincidence that roughly 48 hours after former Tiger Ja’Marr Chase signed the richest non-quarterback deal in NFL history, Keys picked LSU.
“I want to go to the place with the best development” Keys said to On3’s Steve Wiltfong.
Listed at 6’2” and 185 pounds, Keys caught 40 passes for 839 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior for Hattiesburg High. By adding Keys LSU now has seven commits in its 2026 class and his addition vaults the Tigers’ class ranking from No. 3 to No. 1.
It’s a great get for LSU and Keys will be the crown jewel of its 2026 class…if he sticks with it and signs. Signing Day is still nine months away and, as we all saw back in November, nothing’s over until a kid signs on the dotted line.