Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell looks due for a big season after the numbers that he’s putting up through the first two games of the season so far.
During his first season with the program in 2024, he caught 29 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns. Through the first eight quarters of the 2025 season? He’s already got 14 receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Brazzell has found success with Tennessee’s revamped passing game, led by quarterback Joey Aguilar, and looks poised to continue that production once UT starts facing better competition.
One of the reasons for his increased production here early in the season is due to his comfort level in the offense. Yes, Tennessee has only played Syracuse and ETSU so far, but it goes further than that.
“Yeah, compared to last year, I’m a lot more comfortable, to be honest,” Brazzell said after his two-touchdown game against the Buccaneers on Saturday. “Different type of offense we play now, so it’s kind of harder for the defense to counter what we do.”
In the short time that Josh Heupel has been orchestrating his offense in Knoxville, we’ve seen a number of examples of receivers taking a big step up in their second year in the program. One quickly comes to the top of the mind.
Former Tennessee receiver Dont’e Thornton caught 13 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown during his first season in 2023. Then, in 2024, he hauled in 26 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns before being taken in the NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
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There are several factors that go into those statistics, such as usage, quarterback play, overall offensive success, and more. But there’s no doubt that receivers are getting better in their second season with the program because of their better understanding of the schematics and traits at play.
A more comfortable and confident Chris Brazzell, combined with Tennessee’s revamped passing attack with Joey Aguilar, Mike Matthews, and a three-headed monster for a rushing attack, is a path to success for the 6-foot-5 receiver out of Midland, TX.
In the opening game against Syracuse, Brazzell hauled in five catches for 62 yards and nearly had a touchdown before it was taken off the board. On Saturday night against ETSU, he picked up nine catches for a career-high 125 yards and two touchdowns, one with Aguilar and the other with Jake Merklinger.
Brazzell missed a handful of time during UT fall camp as he was nursing an injury. If this is still any sort of warm-up phase for the season, the redshirt junior receiver could be poised for a breakout season like Thornton saw last season.
Tennessee will need a big performance out of him when the Volunteers host Georgia in the SEC opener next weekend in Neyland Stadium. Stay tuned to RTI for continued coverage leading up to the game.
