'26 MS WR Tristen Keys (lsu commit)

[SmyrnaATLVolisback]

VQ knows something with this recruitment that has him being as much of a lock as possible to flip. I’ll go out on a limb and say he announces the flip to us within 2 weeks of the announcement that we are changing to Adidas.

Would be an insane offensive class…

Faizon
Hiter (not committed yet)
Keys (not committed yet)
Legend
Moa
King
Osenda
Baker
Blair (not committed yet)
Shabazz

This is very realistic and an insane offensive class. Likely add another Guard and a couple portal players too.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Would be an insane offensive class…

Faizon
Hiter (not committed yet)
Keys (not committed yet)
Legend
Moa
King
Osenda
Baker
Blair (not committed yet)
Shabazz

This is very realistic and an insane offensive class. Likely add another Guard and a couple portal players too.

You can also add Lincoln Watkins to that list. His flip seems like just a matter of time. Brody Smith will be that other Guard.

And on the defensive side, there’s a good chance we get one of Harris or Givens to flip at LEO.

How’s this for a final class:

QB- Faizon Brandon
RB- Savion Hiter
WR- Tyreek King, Legend Bey, Tristen Keys
TE- Lincoln Watkins
OL- Gabriel Osenda, Edward Baker, Jabian Shabazz, Brody Smith, Kamari Blair
DL- Doreon Albert, Darryl Rivers
EDGE- CJ Edwards, Tristian Givens, Kedric Golston II
SDE- Zach Groves
LB- Brayden Rouse, Braylon Outlaw, TJ White
CB- Jamyan Theodore, Zay Anderson, Javonte Smith
S- Luke Thompson, Jowell Combay, KJ McClain
ATH- Joel Wyatt, Salesi Moa

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

You can also add Lincoln Watkins to that list. His flip seems like just a matter of time. Brody Smith will be that other Guard.

And on the defensive side, there’s a good chance we get one of Harris or Givens to flip at LEO.

How’s this for a final class:

QB- Faizon Brandon
RB- Savion Hiter
WR- Tyreek King, Legend Bey, Tristen Keys
TE- Lincoln Watkins
OL- Gabriel Osenda, Edward Baker, Jabian Shabazz, Brody Smith, Kamari Blair
DL- Doreon Albert, Darryl Rivers
EDGE- CJ Edwards, Tristian Givens, Kedric Golston II
SDE- Zach Groves
LB- Brayden Rouse, Braylon Outlaw, TJ White
CB- Jamyan Theodore, Zay Anderson, Javonte Smith
S- Luke Thompson, Jowell Combay, KJ McClain
ATH- Joel Wyatt, Salesi Moa

That class paired with how good the 2025 class looks thus far would make us a serious contender for the 2027 national championship.

 

[SmyrnaATLVolisback]

You can also add Lincoln Watkins to that list. His flip seems like just a matter of time. Brody Smith will be that other Guard.

And on the defensive side, there’s a good chance we get one of Harris or Givens to flip at LEO.

How’s this for a final class:

QB- Faizon Brandon
RB- Savion Hiter
WR- Tyreek King, Legend Bey, Tristen Keys
TE- Lincoln Watkins
OL- Gabriel Osenda, Edward Baker, Jabian Shabazz, Brody Smith, Kamari Blair
DL- Doreon Albert, Darryl Rivers
EDGE- CJ Edwards, Tristian Givens, Kedric Golston II
SDE- Zach Groves
LB- Brayden Rouse, Braylon Outlaw, TJ White
CB- Jamyan Theodore, Zay Anderson, Javonte Smith
S- Luke Thompson, Jowell Combay, KJ McClain
ATH- Joel Wyatt, Salesi Moa

I’ll take it! Lol

Top ten and close to top five I would guess.

 

[crstygray0211]

It's just not how things work. None of that money has anything to do with NIL. It's all revenue for the University which has nothing to do with anything. Revenue sharing is capped anyway. It makes the rich richer but it doesn't buy better players. Adidas' deals with athletes are completely separate and don't always align with whatever apparel brand the school uses.

While I agree a little, to suggest these conversations aren’t happening in visits and calls is just naivety. Not saying it is a reason for Keys to flip to us…but we know these kids and corps are seeing everything. Nike doesn’t have a strong hold anymore. Crazy people were so up in arms about us switching to Adidas bc of what…uniforms?!? Well, we will have creative control. It’s a different age of college football now.

 

[NoogaVol96]

While I agree a little, to suggest these conversations aren’t happening in visits and calls is just naivety. Not saying it is a reason for Keys to flip to us…but we know these kids and corps are seeing everything. Nike doesn’t have a strong hold anymore. Crazy people were so up in arms about us switching to Adidas bc of what…uniforms?!? Well, we will have creative control. It’s a different age of college football now.

.

 

[JCVol00]

Seems like there’s some national smoke brewing

 

[Jackcrevol]

Seems like there’s some national smoke brewing

Definitely think playing the long game pays dividends.

 

[RandomUTfan]

Seems like there’s some national smoke brewing

I'll accept it.

 

[UTvol1fn]

 

[Volunteer821]

Seems like there’s some national smoke brewing

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I think the Adidas deal could be significant for this recruitment and for future recruitment. I heard that a big portion of the deal was for NIL endorsements

The problem is that no one at current Adidas schools want to be brand ambassadors for Adidas and their NIL deals.

 

[benholt06]

Shew. If coach can pull this off and get both these guys… legendary class potential. The stuff Natties are made of.

 

[TN-POSSUM]

Seems like there’s some national smoke brewing

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

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

Yes you can. You just have to open your eyes. We have gotten many blue chips the last few years. More on the way, but keep denying it if that makes you feel better. GBO

 

[Jackcrevol]

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

turning the corner here

 

[vol94]

Nope. Will just re-load.

Board will melt down.

 

[barrylee]

You can also add Lincoln Watkins to that list. His flip seems like just a matter of time. Brody Smith will be that other Guard.

And on the defensive side, there’s a good chance we get one of Harris or Givens to flip at LEO.

How’s this for a final class:

QB- Faizon Brandon
RB- Savion Hiter
WR- Tyreek King, Legend Bey, Tristen Keys
TE- Lincoln Watkins
OL- Gabriel Osenda, Edward Baker, Jabian Shabazz, Brody Smith, Kamari Blair
DL- Doreon Albert, Darryl Rivers
EDGE- CJ Edwards, Tristian Givens, Kedric Golston II
SDE- Zach Groves
LB- Brayden Rouse, Braylon Outlaw, TJ White
CB- Jamyan Theodore, Zay Anderson, Javonte Smith
S- Luke Thompson, Jowell Combay, KJ McClain
ATH- Joel Wyatt, Salesi Moa

Can someone enlighten me on Lincoln Watkins, please?

 

[NighthawkVol]

Can someone enlighten me on Lincoln Watkins, please?

There is an entire thread with his name as the title. I'd recommend checking that out.

 

[drvenner]

We rushed for almost 3000 yards last season. So you're expecting to average 300 yards passing in the SEC while also averaging the 220ish yards rushing that Tennessee does every game. So the EXPECTATION for you is for Tennessee to have one of the best offenses in the modern era with a new qb, four new offensive linemen, new RB, 2 new starting WR? Do you guys not see that YOU are reason why you are always disappointed with the team?

Please don't confuse him with the facts

 

[vol4him]

Every national champion since 2011 has had a blue-chip ratio of at least 50%.

Tennessee’s 2025 roster has a blue-chip ratio of 54%, marking the first time it’s made the list since the stat was first tracked.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Every national champion since 2011 has had a blue-chip ratio of at least 50%.

Tennessee’s 2025 roster has a blue-chip ratio of 54%, marking the first time it’s made the list since the stat was first tracked.

Well that just proves Heupel has moved the needle. GBO

 

[Vol423]

Well that just proves Heupel has moved the needle. GBO

It will be higher next year…and the next.

 

[Heupel's Offseason Beard]

Every national champion since 2011 has had a blue-chip ratio of at least 50%.

Tennessee’s 2025 roster has a blue-chip ratio of 54%, marking the first time it’s made the list since the stat was first tracked.

For comparison it was 46% last season where we won 10 games and went to the playoffs. But yeah, we're going to finish 9th in the SEC or whatever.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

For comparison it was 46% last season where we won 10 games and went to the playoffs. But yeah, we're going to finish 9th in the SEC or whatever.

The difference with that team is the almost the entire offense wasn't first or second year players