Major Alabama Recruiting Target Makes Commitment Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nazario Pangallo | Last updated Mar 19, 2025 9:20 PM ET

During the 2025 recruiting cycle, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff were in the running for multiple five-star wide receivers. The Tide even had five-star wideout Caleb Cunningham committed before the Mississippi native chose his home state squad.

In the 2026 recruiting class, Alabama is once again shooting for the stars, with the Tide focusing on another Mississippi product in five-star pass catcher Tristen Keys.

On Wednesday, Keys chose LSU over Alabama, Miami, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Auburn. The 6-foot-2 185-pounder visited Baton Rogue this week, before making his commitment official.

“LSU has produced a lot of top receivers and I see them at WRU,” Keys previously told On3’s Chad Simmons. "I talk to coach (Cortez) Hankton a lot and it is a place I am very familiar with. I want to keep building my bond with them.”

Keys, who plays his high school ball at Hattiesburg High School in Mississippi, is ranked as the No. 3 player in the country and No. 1 wide receiver according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

"Contested catch maven who looks like the top wide receiver prospect early in the 2026 cycle," On3's Charles Power said. "Turned in a strong junior campaign, catching 58 passes for 1,275 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading his team to a deep playoff run. Excels in contested catch situations, elevating to come down with acrobatic grabs. Hangs in the air and is able to contort his body into favorable positions. Displays a huge catch radius, high-pointing the football and coming down with one-handed grabs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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