‘Opportunity exists’ – Josh Heupel is optimistic about key position group that needs to have a big year for Tennessee Vols in 2025
The Tennessee Vols are counting on some young players to step up in a big way at one of the most important positions on the field in 2025.
Tennessee lost several veteran wide receivers this offseason (Bru McCoy, Squirrel White, Dont’e Thornton), which opens the door for some young talent to play a key role in the Vols’ offense in 2025.
Young receivers like sophomore Mike Matthews, sophomore Braylon Staley, redshirt freshman Amari Jefferson, and true freshman Travis Smith, among others, have the opportunity this spring/summer to showcase why they should join returning starter Chris Brazzell as go-to options for Tennessee.
On Friday, after the Vols’ first practice of the spring, head coach Josh Heupel met with reporters and he was asked about his thoughts on Tennessee’s current group of wide receivers.
“Opportunity exists and really like the group, their physical traits,” said Heupel on Friday. “They’re big, they’re long, athletic, really intelligent football guys. Really mature. They’ve grasped onto what we’ve given them up until this point in a really, really good way. So they did a really nice job out there, made some plays. Excited about that group.”
Heupel was specifically asked about Matthews, a former five-star recruit who has the talent to be a star in the SEC.
“Mike’s had a really good offseason,” explained Heupel. “Just physically, continuing to grow into his frame. He’s as healthy as he’s been right now [in] a long time. Just during the course of the fall, kind of got nicked up early. Late in the summer, [he] kind of re-injured himself a little bit in training camp and kind of fought through the injury bug a little bit during the course of the season.
“In year two for him, growth in control of his mind, how he approaches everything every day. He’s really matured in a really good way. I’m excited about what he’s done up until this point in the offseason, but really like what he did today on the practice field. We have high hopes and expectations for him.”
There’s a lot of youth in Tennessee’s wide receiver room, but there’s also undoubtedly more talent in the room than there was a year ago.
The time is now for that youth to make its mark for the Vols. Tennessee needs Matthews, Staley, and Jefferson, specifically, to step up in 2025 and become impact players. In fact, it’s a must if the Vols are going to return to the College Football Playoff in 2025.
