The University of Tennessee's wide receiver room enters the 2026 season with a blend of proven production and promising youth. Returning starters Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews headline a group that has already demonstrated its ability to compete at the SEC level.
Staley, who earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors after posting 68 receptions for 837 yards and six touchdowns last year, brings a blend of speed and route precision. Matthews, a former five‑star recruit, contributed 53 catches for 813 yards and four scores in the previous campaign. Coach Kelsey Pope has repeatedly highlighted the leadership and maturity both players exhibit, noting that their influence extends beyond the field.
Competition for Starting Roles
With the departure of Chris Brazzell, the starting role on the outside is up for grabs among a trio of talented newcomers: Travis Smith Jr., Radarious Jackson and TK Keys. Both Smith and Jackson, four‑star prospects, missed significant time due to injuries but are now fully healthy and expected to make larger contributions.
The depth chart also features a strong slot corps that includes Joakim Dodson, Tyreek King and Ian Duarte, while additional receivers such as Carson Whitehead, Jack‑Henry Jakobik, Nathan Roberts, Ben Petermann, Deon Hardin and JaColby Cooper provide further options. This breadth of talent gives the coaching staff flexibility in shaping formations and exploiting matchups.
Beyond individual statistics, the group’s collective work ethic and on‑field chemistry have become a focal point of the program’s identity. Pope emphasizes that the receivers’ maturity helps set a standard for younger players and reinforces a culture of accountability that the Volunteers hope will translate into more consistent offensive production.