Josh Heupel breaks down Tennessee’s WR corps entering 2026
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Wide receiver was not considered a position of strength for Tennessee heading into last season. But when the rubber met the road, receiver became a strength for the Vols and veteran transfer QB Joey Aguilar.
Entering 2026, the attitude surrounding the Vols’ receiver unit is a little different. Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews make up a great veteran foundation while talented young athletes like Radarious Jackson, Travis Smith and TK Keys look to make an impact behind them.
While speaking during the SEC’s weekly teleconference Wednesday morning, Vols head coach Josh Heupel was asked to evaluate his group of wide receivers. Here’s what he had to say about his WR room entering the new season:
“I like it a lot,” Heupel said. “A year ago, there were a lot of question marks about our wide receiver corps from the outside. Our guys worked a year ago and competed and played at a really high level before they got to game day. We had a lot of confidence in them. I feel that way about this year’s group, too.”
“Obviously, Mike (Matthews) and Braylon (Staley) have a lot of experience and played at a really high level,” Heupel continued. “I feel like they’ve taken their game to another level. Their understanding of fundamentals and technique. Our young wide receivers, Radarious (Jackson), Travis Smith, TK Keys, Tyreek King, all those guys have done a great job. Joakim Dodson. I anticipate a lot of those guys playing early in the football game this week.”
The excitement in the room comes from the group of young receivers Heupel touched on at the end of his statement. Tennessee does not have a firm WR3 in place, and probably won’t until the role is earned on the field. Thankfully for the Vols, there are plenty of faces that can fill the void.
The Vols kick off the 2026 season on Saturday against Furman.
Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
