Will Braylon Staley break out for the Volunteers after Chris Brazzell's departure?
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For years, the Tennessee Volunteers have consistently produced premier wide receiver talent.
Jalin Hyatt, Jauan Jennings, Dont’e Thornton Jr., and Chris Brazzell II come to mind as the most notable former Volunteers receivers.
With Brazzell being drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of April’s NFL draft after finishing with a team-high 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, the Volunteers now shift their focus to sophomore Braylon Staley.
Though Staley is far from the physical jump-ball threat that the 6-foot-4 Brazzell provided, it is safe to say he does not need to be.
With a successful background in track and field, Staley pairs elite athleticism with top-end speed.
Combine this with his 6-foot frame and sure hands as a pass-catcher, and Tennessee has an incredible potential out of the slot.
As a freshman last season, Staley posted 68 receptions for 837 yards and six touchdowns.
His 837 yards ranked eighth in the SEC, and first among freshmen.
One could argue that Staley’s production was nothing more than a byproduct of former Volunteer Joey Aguilar’s SEC-best 274 passing yards per game, and that Staley will struggle this season with the Volunteers’ quarterback situation being a question mark.
I believe, however, that Staley will succeed regardless of who is under center for the Volunteers in 2026, as he possesses an innate ability to create separation, particularly over the middle of the field.
Furthermore, Staley will be far from the lone threat in Tennessee’s aerial attack. The Volunteers also boast returners like tight end Ethan Davis, wide receiver Mike Matthews, and five-star freshman receiver TK Keys.
Matthews in particular, will provide Staley the most relief, as his 813 yards last season ranked 11th in the SEC, and fourth among underclassmen.
They both have been named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, honoring the country's top receiver. Hyatt won it a few years ago.
Additionally, Tennessee has a strong presence in the backfield, with DeSean Bishop and Javin Gordon combining for an elite speed-and-strength combination.
The duo rushed for nearly 1,600 combined yards a season ago, adding 22 total touchdowns.
Considering the Volunteers also possess top talent across the offensive line in pre-season All-SEC team members Wendell Moe Jr. and David Sanders Jr., whoever starts the season at quarterback for the Volunteers will immediately be put in a position to succeed.
Once the Volunteers establish the ground game, and force opposing defenses to address the run, Staley will likely line up against single coverage for a majority of snaps.
This will allow him to dominate the middle of the field, and could realistically propel him towards a 80 catch, 1,000 yard season.
With Davis, Matthews, Bishop, and a plethora of other talent within the offense, the Volunteers are primed to maximize Staley’s output in 2026.
