'26 MS WR Tristen Keys (lsu commit)

[25vol]

You're setting yourself up to be disappointed. We don't get guys like Hiter and Keys no matter the money.

This you?

 

[CaliVol2009]

We have a passionate fanbase with some real dumba$$es sprinkled in. It never ends with the moronic takes.

*moranic

 

[BelievetheHeup2022]

He quoted LSU’s On3 writer I believe regarding the increased offer. That in itself doesn’t mean much, and I think there’s a reason AP and them have been saying they’d take the field over LSU here, maybe a fractured relationship. Hopefully. LSU is a pretty attractive place for WRs rn. But I think the staff has approached these last two big targets with the funds to compete, like with Sanders.

Not sure how this ends up but AP is holding strong on his opinion that we have the momentum which in VQ terminology is where we want to be. Wiltfong feels otherwise, but as he has said on the VQ board that doesn't mean it's a done deal. It just means that's where he is leaning currently. The interesting part is whether Keys goes to games this season like he planned. Those can always be a game changer before ESD. I'm not sure a verbal here will cause me to go too insane if Keys still goes to some games this year. May have more twists and turns in the days ahead. Don't forget A&M is still in this as well.

 

[Go47]

I think we get Hiter / Keys goes to LSU.

 

[CamVol8]

I think we get Hiter / Keys goes to LSU.

And that would be totally fine with me. Use the money on a proven portal receiver. There’s going to be plenty of star WR to choose from

 

[Go47]

And that would be totally fine with me. Use the money on a proven portal receiver. There’s going to be plenty of star WR to choose from

I agree.

 

[BreatheUT]

You don’t seem to realize that while a coaching staff could theoretically do that, it would be insanely stupid. You’d have a revolt amongst the other WR’s and even other position players that would immediately want far more money.

This is the culture NIL created.

 

[VOLociraptorr]

On the pod this morning, AP mentioned that if Keys crosses the finish line (decommits from LSU), he believes Tennessee is in the best spot to land him.

He then predicted that keys will "Cross the finish line"

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

On the pod this morning, AP mentioned that if Keys crosses the finish line (decommits from LSU), he believes Tennessee is in the best spot to land him.

He then predicted that keys will "Cross the finish line"

I really believe this whole recruitment is somehow connected to his Adidas deal and our Adidas deal. I think we knew we were changing a long time ago and told Adidas to sign him, which ended up sealing the deal for him to be a Vol.

 

[Jackcrevol]

I think we get Hiter / Keys goes to LSU.

what? I think the absolute opposite. I think the thing holding us back on offensive side is lack of recruiting successes (perceived). This year we've got FB, GO, and Utah kid. So that narrative is changing, in my mind.

AP says this kid is an alpha, and covets
competition. As a Jr he played in, and played well in Polynesian bowl. He's routinely said he wants to play with the best and go to League. (Hence why he chose LSU) despite our early lead.

 

[EastTNVol95]

I really believe this whole recruitment is somehow connected to his Adidas deal and our Adidas deal. I think we knew we were changing a long time ago and told Adidas to sign him, which ended up sealing the deal for him to be a Vol.

Not saying that it doesn't possibly help our recruiting pitch but I don't see that being a deciding factor. For example, Jeremiah Smith is signed with Adidas and plays at Ohio State which is a Nike school.

The Adidas deal imo is totally driven by Danny White and the money it would bring to the athletic department as a whole.

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

Not saying that it doesn't possibly help our recruiting pitch but I don't see that being a deciding factor. For example, Jeremiah Smith is signed with Adidas and plays at Ohio State which is a Nike school.

The Adidas deal imo is totally driven by Danny White and the money it would bring to the athletic department as a whole.

Not saying we made the Adidas deal to get the kid. Saying we already knew we were switching to Adidas, and told them to sign Keys, which put us back in the lead in the recruitment.

 

[EastTNVol95]

Not saying we made the Adidas deal to get the kid. Saying we already knew we were switching to Adidas, and told them to sign Keys, which put us back in the lead in the recruitment.

We are a powerful program but there is zero chance we are telling a global company as big as Adidas which athletes they should sign.

They signed Keys simply cause he's one of the best high school players in the country.

 

[cncchris33]

Not saying we made the Adidas deal to get the kid. Saying we already knew we were switching to Adidas, and told them to sign Keys, which put us back in the lead in the recruitment.

I don’t think Tennessee quite has the pull to tell Adidas who to sign. Adidas likely wanted to sign Keys with no regard for Tennessee's feelings on the matter as he is one of the premier players in his class.

 

[overseasorange2]

On the pod this morning, AP mentioned that if Keys crosses the finish line (decommits from LSU), he believes Tennessee is in the best spot to land him.

He then predicted that keys will "Cross the finish line"

If he crosses the finish line, I think AP is correct about Keys going to UT. However, I have this sneaky feeling Keys is using UT to get a better deal at LSU. Hope I am wrong, and who knows?

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Figures you would already give up

 

[Mountvol]

We are a powerful program but there is zero chance we are telling a global company as big as Adidas which athletes they should sign.

They signed Keys simply cause he's one of the best high school players in the country.

It’s also a short term deal for his senior year. It’s totally independent of where he winds up playing in college. They could decide to make him a long term deal and still wind up at a Nike school.

 

[Mountvol]

You're setting yourself up to be disappointed. We don't get guys like Hiter and Keys no matter the money.

What does this even mean? Who are “guys like Hiter and Keys”?

 

[top5vols]

What does this even mean? Who are “guys like Hiter and Keys”?

Travis Stephens and Peerless Price

 

[orangemadam]

I think he is saying that in modern times, UT does not get the blue chip skill players.
Can't argue with that.

 

[benholt06]

I think he is saying that in modern times, UT does not get the blue chip skill players.
Can't argue with that.

You can’t? I was just arguing with Faizon Brandon about that.

 

[orangebloodgmc]

This board will melt down if we miss on both Keys and Hiter.

Nope. Will just re-load.

 

[BelievetheHeup2022]

I think he is saying that in modern times, UT does not get the blue chip skill players.
Can't argue with that.

Top 100 skill players last 3 cycles
2026 Salesi Moa - 46, Faizon Brandon - 11
2025 Travis Smith - 83, DaSaahn Brame - 50
2024 Mike Matthews - 26, Brandon Staley - 83

 

[Batman1948]

If he crosses the finish line, I think AP is correct about Keys going to UT. However, I have this sneaky feeling Keys is using UT to get a better deal at LSU. Hope I am wrong, and who knows?

He already was offered a new deal with LSU

 

[Kurtastrophe]

I really believe this whole recruitment is somehow connected to his Adidas deal and our Adidas deal. I think we knew we were changing a long time ago and told Adidas to sign him, which ended up sealing the deal for him to be a Vol.

Agreed. I thought that as soon as Keys was announced by them.