ESPN's two second-year breakout candidates for Tennessee Football this season
ESPN’s list of 10 second-year breakout candidates in college football this season actually named 11 players, with Tennessee receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley both making the list.
Matthews, who is entering his sophomore season, and Staley, the redshirt freshmen, were listed together at No. 5, behind Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Michigan running back Jordan Marshall, Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson and Miami wide receiver Joshisa Trader.
“Yes, we are hedging our bet with this pick,” ESPN wrote of Matthews and Staley. “We expect Matthews or Staley to break out this year as a top SEC receiver. Who that will be depends on who stays healthy, as both have been injury prone.”
Mike Matthews last season: 7 catches, 90 yards, 2 touchdowns
Matthews caught seven passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games last season, while dealing with a nagging hamstring injury. Staley, who had three catches for 21 yards in four games while preserving his redshirt year, has also missed time this fall camp due to injury.
“They both have flashed as well,” ESPN wrote of the duo. “Matthews is as expected. Sudden and elusive after the catch, the No. 5 wide receiver in the ESPN 300 headlined the Vols’ No. 15 class. Staley was inside the top 300 but as the No. 21 receiver.
“A former state champion in the 200 meters and triple jump, Staley, who redshirted last season, has excellent short-area quickness, explosive movements and elite ball skills. This WR room needs to produce for the Vols to return to the College Football Playoff.”
Tennessee’s three leading receivers from last season are all gone.
Dont’e Thornton, who led the Vols with 661 yards and six touchdowns, got drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders. Bru McCoy (39 catches, 472 yards, two touchdowns) is out of eligibility and Squirrel White (34 catches, 381 yards, two touchdowns) transferred to Florida State.
Top 10
- 1New
JP Poll Top 20
Big shakeup after Week 2
- 2
Heisman Odds shakeup
Big movement among favorites
- 3Hot
Eli Drinkwitz comes clean
Knew rule was broken
- 4
Deion Sanders
Fires back at media
- 5Trending
Big 12 punishes ref crew
Costly mistake in Kansas-Mizzou
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Chris Brazzell ll is the team’s leading returner after catching 29 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Miles Kitselman caught 22 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns at tight end.
‘I think both of those guys have benefited from their friendship’
Both Matthews and Staley have put in the work required during the offseason to take over bigger roles this season.
Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope earlier this week described the two as “tied at the hip” and best friends who can always be found putting in extra time side by side.
“They’re always together,” Pope said. “And both of those guys have had a ton of growth from last December until now. And I think it’s directly correlated to the time they spend in my office together and the time they spend with one another together. Extra catches, extra meetings. Those guys are doing things on their own in the summer.
“I think anytime you got one teammate that’s on your hip and they’re pushing you and they’re motivated,” Pope added, “I think that’s going to make you better. And I think both of those guys have benefited from their friendship and the bond that they have.”
