Beyond the Orange: Braylon Staley

Tennessee wide receiver Braylon Staley is off to a strong start in his first year as a starter. He joined Beyond the Orange sponsored by Knoxville Smiles to dive into his play.

“I think my role compared to last year to now, last year I was a conservative guy,” Staley said. “I sat back and watched the older guys and took tips from them to put in my game to make me better. Like now I got younger guys looking up to me taking tips from me trying to make them better. I feel like it’s a great feeling that some guys are looking up to me right now.”

And as for what he learned a year ago?

“Just being physical and learning how to strain,” Staley said. “Just different stuff in your routes. I think coming in as a slot, you have to block linebackers. I’m a small guy and I’ve put on weight. Just remembering what those guys did when they were here. It just helped me. I have so much strain now and I’m physical in the running game.”

Watch the full episode of Beyond the Orange below.

The Orange leads the Mississippi State series 30-16-1

Tennessee is 30-16-1 all time against Mississippi State, dating back to 1907. The Vols have won eight of the last nine, going back to 1995, but have played just three times since 2012.

The Vols haven’t played at Mississippi State since the 41-31 loss to the Bulldogs in October 2012 and haven’t won in Starkville since the 33-21 win in October 2007.

Mississippi State is off to a 4-0 start after a 34-17 win at Southern Miss, then home wins over Arizona State (24-20), Alcorn State (63-0) and Northern Illinois (38-10).

State has already doubled its win total from last season, when the Bulldogs finished 2-10, including a 33-14 loss at Tennessee, in the first season under Jeff Lebby.