The Tennessee Volunteers’ 2024 passing attack lacked juice. Joey Aguilar, a transfer from Appalachian St. by way of UCLA, has been tasked with reinvigorating things through the air this season. If he does, ESPN analyst Billy Tucker believes one of two receivers will be the reason why.
Tucker released his second-year breakout candidates early Wednesday morning. He offered 12 names, including three from SEC schools. His only skill position players from the conference, though, were Tennessee receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley.
“We are hedging our bet with this pick,” Tucker wrote. “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.”
Neither Matthews nor Staley made a large impact in the 2024 campaign. Matthews, now a sophomore, recorded seven receptions for 90 yards in 11 appearances, while Staley — a redshirt freshman — posted just three catches for 21 yards across four contests. Both are set to handle starting roles in 2025 following the departures of Dont’e Thornton (NFL), Bru McCoy (medical retirement) and Squirrel White (Florida State). Tucker believes each receiver possesses the traits to have success.
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“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,” Tucker wrote. “Staley was inside the top 300 but as the No. 21 receiver. A former state champion in the 200 meters and triple jump… [he] has excellent short-area quickness, explosive movements and elite ball skills.”
Tucker claimed the Vols’ wide receiver room “needs to produce for [a] return to the College Football Playoff.” As key pieces of that collective, Matthews and Staley must rise to the occasion. Their first action of the season will come when Tennessee hosts Syracuse on Aug. 30.
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