With little time on the clock, Tennessee football needed a touchdown to tie the game at Mississippi State. After a false start inside the red zone, the Vols stared down a third-and-six. Joey Aguilar was flushed out of the pocket and rolled to his right. There, he found slot receiver Braylon Staley a few yards short of the first-down marker.
Staley, standing at 6-foot, 190 pounds, powered through a defender to move the chains. Aguilar would then punch it in himself for the tying touchdown before the Vols won 41-34 in overtime.
Staley finished the game with four receptions for 41 yards. While it wasn’t his strongest game, he came through when it mattered the most. That was his mentality in the moment, as well.
“A lot of people seen the game I had,” Staley said. “I think just staying in the game and when your name is called, got to be able to make a play. I think that’s what I did.”
Tennessee WR Braylon Staley on his potentially game-saving play at MSU:
“A lot of people seen the game I had. I think just staying in the game and when your name is called, got to be able to make a play. I think that’s what I did.” pic.twitter.com/SgqljQtKvT
— Ryan Sylvia (@RyanTSylvia) October 6, 2025
More From RTI: Everything Tennessee HC Josh Heupel Said To Begin Arkansas Week
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has liked what he’s gotten from the redshirt freshman receiver this season through five games. There were questions about what he would produce this year, but so far, he’s put together a strong campaign.
His development and ability to step into the spotlight and make plays is something that Heupel has shown other young players on the team in hopes they can replicate it.
“I think that part of the football field, working in the middle of the football field, all the things that we asked of that guy (in the slot), had great trust in him because of what he did all of last year,” Heupel said. “And I say that just in how we continue to grow and practice and get we to the playoffs and he’s playing a bunch of football. It’s one of the things that I’ve shown some of the guys on our roster is continuing to prepare and get ready for your opportunity and be ready to hit it and mouth them when you get it. Great leader that’s continuing to grow in that role. Great work habits. Really smart football player. Understands defensive structures, the game, concepts at a really high level and has the ability to make plays.”
This year, Staley has produced 322 yards and two touchdowns on 25 receptions. He’s been one of the trio of receivers to play nearly every high-leverage snap at the position so far, alongside Chris Brazzell and Mike Matthews.
