Tristen Keys, the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2026 class and a five-star LSU commit, has finalized a major NIL partnership with Adidas, the global athletic brand revealed Wednesday. The agreement highlights Adidas’ continued expansion in the NIL space, following recent deals with several elite basketball prospects.
Keys rank No. 5 overall in the 2026 cycle per the On3 and is also Mississippi’s top high school recruit. His partnership with Adidas marks a pivotal moment in the NIL era, reflecting the brand’s growing influence in football recruiting.
Tristen Keys Becomes Face of Adidas’ NIL Push in Football
Adidas confirmed Wednesday that it has added another major name to its growing NIL football roster, signing LSU five-star wide receiver commit Tristen Keys. The deal strengthens Adidas’ investment in the high school space, following recent agreements with a wave of elite basketball prospects.
Keys, a standout from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is ranked as the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2026 class by the On3 Industry Ranking, which compiles evaluations from all four major recruiting services. He is also considered the top player in Mississippi and carries an NIL valuation of $536,000, according to On3.
NEW: LSU 5-star WR commit Tristen Keys has inked an NIL deal with Adidas🔥
Keys has a $536,000 On3 NIL Valuation.https://t.co/NtdMEkZNK3 pic.twitter.com/2MFX0ScOzX
— On3 NIL (@On3NIL) June 4, 2025
The agreement with Adidas makes Keys the latest addition to an expanding football portfolio. The company recently inked deals with Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola and former Miami signal-caller Cam Ward, who was later selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Don’t blink or you’ll miss the future ⭐️
Welcome to the three stripes, Tristen @Tkgot5 pic.twitter.com/aZ1648Mit0
— adidas Football US (@adidasFballUS) June 4, 2025
Additional football signees include top-10 2024 NFL Draft picks Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze, formerly of Washington, and Travis Hunter, who joined the brand ahead of winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
Keys committed to LSU in March and remains one of the cycle’s most coveted wide receivers. He just wrapped up an official visit to Miami and, according to On3’s Steve Wiltfong, has more campus trips scheduled in the coming weeks.
Adidas continues to target top-tier talent at the receiver position. Keys now joins fellow NIL endorsers Chris Henry Jr. and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt as key faces of the brand’s youth movement.
The German-based apparel company has also aligned with emerging and established NFL stars, including Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons, Brock Purdy, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Garrett Wilson.
Although LSU is a Nike-sponsored school, meaning Keys won’t be permitted to wear Adidas cleats during games if he enrolls, the NIL deal allows him to represent the brand in other marketing formats, including social media and off-field promotions.
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