Chris Brazzell was a revelation for Tennessee vs. Georgia. He’ll be key against Mississippi State, too

Chris Brazzell II was not supposed to be this good this early.

The Vols receiver had an average first year learning Tennessee’s system, but alongside Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley, there just wasn’t much experience heading into the new season. Naturally, the question emerged: With Dont’e Thornton, Bru McCoy and Squirrel White all gone, who is ready to step up?

That question was answered rather quickly.

Brazzell has already surpassed his receiving total for all of last year. Heck, he halved it in Tennessee’s Week 3 matchup against Georgia. The Vols receiver sits 2nd in the SEC only behind Texas A&M’s Mario Craver with 426 receiving yards, and he leads the entire country in touchdown receptions with 6.

The Vols’ WR1 is simply a matchup nightmare, and he’s playing with a quarterback who recognizes and leans on that strength, not afraid to deliver some 50/50 balls. Brazzell looks faster, too — which has paid dividends as Tennessee’s offense evolves under Josh Heupel.

Tennessee faces its first true road test of the season on Saturday against Mississippi State, a squad that has already doubled its win total from last year. The Bulldogs flexed their muscles early by beating Arizona State — a team fresh off a College Football Playoff berth. Plenty of people are still doubting the Bulldogs thanks to last year’s 2-10 record, but the Vols are facing a completely different program Saturday afternoon.

Tennessee is going to need another big game from Chris Brazzell, too — but not necessarily in the way you might assume.

Chris Brazzell absolutely torched Georgia’s secondary

Brazzell officially introduced himself to America against Georgia in Week 3.

Several NFL Draft analysts, including Todd McShay, think Brazzell is among the fastest risers for the 2026 NFL Draft, and it’s easy to see why. Let’s take a look at his best catch of the year thus far:

This play is impressive for a few reasons. For starters, it wasn’t as clean as it looked. Brazzell fought his way through contact with Georgia defender Daniel Harris, who actually got a hand on the ball before Brazzell could corral it and walk in for the score.

The timing is of this is important, too. Tennessee could not have needed it any more than it did in this moment in the game. The connection between Joey Aguilar and Brazzell followed a draining 14-play, 7-minute touchdown drive by the Bulldogs followed by an Aguilar interception and a subsequent Georgia field goal. Neyland Stadium had completely deflated after buzzing with an early 21-7 lead.

What’s even more incredible? This was Brazzell’s 3rd touchdown of the afternoon. All in all, the 2nd-year Vol hauled in 6 receptions for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns. It might be the most productive performance from a wide receiver so far this season — even despite the brutal loss.

Also, did you notice what a ballsy throw that was from Aguilar? He had another deep touchdown pass to Brazzell — one that was pretty significantly underthrown — but Brazzell went up and caught it anyway. His timing on both of these receptions was perfect.

I’m not sure when Tennessee last had a receiver like Brazzell, who can contend with any defensive back you put him up with and trust that he’s going to go up and get the football. Jauan Jennings could perhaps fit into that category, but — all due respect to Jennings — I’m not sure the 49ers receiver was running this snappy of a route with Tennessee:

Nasty. We may be looking at another Tennessee Biletnikoff contender, folks.

Now, Brazzell did all that against Georgia at home, but how will he fare against Mississippi State’s secondary down in Starkville? Let’s dive in.

Chris Brazzell will be key for Tennessee against Mississippi State

Let me introduce you to Kelley Jones, Tennessee fans.

That fella on Jones’s screen is Jordyn Tyson, considered by many to be WR1 in next year’s NFL Draft. He actually had a fairly productive day against the Bulldogs, but not when he was lined up against Jones.

When he wasn’t covered by Jones, the ASU receiver totaled 5 receptions, 62 yards and a touchdown. When he was covered by the redshirt sophomore, he totaled just 1 reception for 6 yards.

Jones has so far allowed the lowest catch rate among all FBS cornerbacks at 14.3%. Especially relevant for Saturday afternoon, Jones stands at 6-4, 198 lbs and has the size, speed and skill to guard any of Tennessee’s receivers out wide, including Brazzell.

So yeah, Kelley Jones is a problem. But it doesn’t end there. Mississippi State has more dawgs in the secondary alongside Jones. Mississippi State’s pass defense currently ranks 4th in the SEC and 14th in the country through 4 games with guys like DeAgo Brumfield and Jayven Williams.

Tennessee can surely lean on its 3-headed rushing attack if things get hairy, but Josh Heupel and OC Joey Halzle also know that Tennessee cannot afford to become one-dimensional on the road like the Sun Devils did. Especially not with Brazzell playing the way he is.

Indeed, one of Arizona State’s fatal flaws back in Week 2 was its complete inability to get anything going in the passing game. Sam Leavitt threw 2 interceptions and completed just 10 passes for 92 yards. On the other hand, the Sun Devils posted 251 rushing yards at 4.9 yards per carry and still lost the football game.

Tennessee doesn’t need one of its receivers to snag 10 receptions for 200 yards to win this one, but it does need a consistent threat split out wide to keep the Bulldogs defense honest and to pave the way for the Vols’ monster rushing attack. The best way to do that? Attack the Bulldogs right from the jump with your deep threat receiver and let your offense play its style with a lead.

Tennessee knows just the guy who can help with that.

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.