It didn’t take long for Tennessee football star wide receiver Braylon Staley to post a new school record once the Music City Bowl vs. Illinois got underway. On the opening drive for the Vols, he caught a pass to mark the most receptions by a freshman in a single season in school history.
Staley finished that opening drive with a pair of receptions for 22 yards. His second catch kept the drive alive on third-and-long after Joey Aguilar took a sack on the first play of the game. His record-setting reception went for eight yards on second down, with the third down conversion going for 14.
Staley has the chance to set another record, as well. If he catches a touchdown, it’ll tie Justin Hunter for most by a freshman at UT with seven.
Into the record books.@BrayStaley now holds the UT record for most receptions in a season by a freshman. pic.twitter.com/3JkrQ30mWW
Advertisement— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 30, 2025
More From RTI: DeSean Bishop Becomes Third Straight Tennessee Running Back To Record 1,000 Yard Season
Staley has already earned some significant hardware for his redshirt freshman campaign. After the conclusion of the regular season, he was named the SEC Freshman of the Year. He was the third Vol to ever win the award and joins some elite company. In 1994, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning earned the honor. Just a few years later, running back Jamal Lewis earned it in 1997.
He snagged the honor due to a dominant year in the slot for Tennessee. With limited depth at the position, he stepped up to play the overwhelming majority of snaps there while staying healthy. The result was 64 receptions for 806 yards and six touchdowns in the regular season.
Braylon Staley’s 806 yards marked the sixth-most of any wide receiver in the SEC this season. He was joined by a pair of teammates in the top ten, with Chris Brazzell posting a conference-high 1,017 and Mike Matthews coming in at seventh with 770. His six touchdowns tied for eighth in the SEC, as well, with Brazzell tied for first at nine.
