Alabama football lands official visit from elite 2026 WR out of Mississippi

Alabama football's recent momentum on the recruiting trail coming out of Junior Day has continued. On Thursday night, it was revealed that the Crimson Tide would be getting a visit from an elite prospect and one of its top targets in the 2026 recruiting cycle.

5-star WR Tristen Keys from Hattiesburg, Mississippi will give the Tide an official visit. It will be one of six visits for Keys coming up.

Keys is ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect and the No. 2 WR in the 247 composite rankings. Keys is 6'2, 175 pounds, and a high-level athlete. He's advanced as a route runner already and can cut on a dime.

Keys attended Alabama's Junior Day last weekend and the Crimson Tide made a big impression on the blue-chip WR. He has built a strong relationship with WR coach JaMarcus Shepherd. Shepherd has a history as one of the best relationship builders and is a proven talent developer.

Alabama's WR development had grown stagnant following the ridiculous run where Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, Devonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle all played on the same team. John Metchie developed nicely, but Alabama's last real difference-maker at WR was Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams.

Ryan Williams is poised to change that narrative and Shepherd should help the Crimson Tide start landing some of these big names at WR once again after missing on the high end prospects the last few cycles outside of in-state Williams.

During his junior season, Keys caught 58 passes for 1275 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's the top player in the state of Mississippi and Keys seems to have decided to leave the state for college as all six of the programs he plans to officially visit are out of state programs.

There has not yet been a confirmed date announced for when Keys will be back in Tuscaloosa.