Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel noted all offseason and throughout the 2025 season that the Vols’ young players do not have time to be young. That’s proven to be the case with Tennessee’s underclassmen playing more this season than in any previous under Heupel.
Two of those players have played major roles and performed well doing so. The Sean Alexander Freshman of the Year Award released its semifinalists Wednesday with receiver Braylon Staley and cornerback Ty Redmond making the 14 payer list.
Staley is a redshirt freshman receiver who has been stellar during the 2025 season. The slot receiver leads Tennessee with 52 catches this season, totaling 703 yards and five touchdowns. Staley is not only one of Tennessee’s top receivers but one of the top receivers in the SEC.
The South Carolina native is tied for the SEC lead in receptions, ranks fourth in the conference in yards and is tied for fifth in touchdowns. Staley projected as a starter entering the season but has exceeded all expectations in a stellar redshirt freshman season.
Redmond did not project for a major role this season but it has found him regardless. Tennessee’s two projected cornerbacks before the season — Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson — have played just xx combined snaps this season due to injury.
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Colton Hood stepped into one starting role and the true freshman Redmond stepped into the other. It’s been a bit rocky for Redmond with the freshman struggling at times early in the season— most notably in the Vols loss against Georgia at Neyland Stadium.
But Redmond has overall performed well. The three-star freshman has totaled 31 tackles, six pass breakups and one interceptions. Opponents have targeted Redmond 56 times this season, completing 36 passes for 429 yards and one touchdown.
Tennessee is the only school with two players nominated and Alabama is the only other SEC school with a single player nominated.
The 12 over nominees include Alabama cornerback Dijon Lee Jr, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado, Maryland edge rusher Zahir Mathis, Miami receiver Malchi Toney, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Oklahoma State edge Wendell Gregory, Oregon cornerback Branon Finney, Pitt quarterback Mason Heintschel and Syracuse quarterback Demetres Samuel Jr.
The Sean Alexander Award will announce its finalists on Dec. 3 before announcing the 2025 winner on Dec. 30.
