'26 TN S Joel Wyatt (Tennessee commit)

[allvolrecruiting]

Hopefully Moa sees that his path to play is much quicker if he starts as a DB. WR room competition for Brazzells spot is going to be intense

WR room seems pretty open to me past starters especially if you are planning on starting Keys. TSJ/RJ have been hurt and not on the field as much in general bc the main three have been good. The bench next year would be practically all first and second years (let's count Amari Jefferson as second year guy for the sake of the argument bc he missed first year) who have not proven anything in-game. This is why I think it would be best to get a veteran portal WR. Doesn't have to be a starter but you can't have one scholarship receiver (with no experience) on your bench at the end of a SEC game again like against Arkansas. Safety hopefully is going to be very open bc my goodness they were awful against Arky

 

[NighthawkVol]

That argument has been made repeatedly. It’s the narrative they spread. They spread the same stuff about WR 3-4 years ago until it was obvious that AL followed by OHSt recruited the best WR talent and were winning national championships. Then we changed and no longer hear that nonsense. If you actually want to compete for championships, safety (and RB where we went all in on Hiter) are very important. I’m pointing out that the best teams commit sufficient NIL and/or have competent recruiters to get talent at S. Furthermore, the dollars to land an elite safety are marginal compared to a top QB or left tackle. Our best hope may be that Wyatt can stay trim enough to force his way onto the field at safety.

…or that Moa is a Safety and a good one. Or both. Although I think Combay also has a chance to be very good.

Let’s face it…teams that win championships are strong at every position.

It can both be true that safeties are less valuable than other positions and that we still need to be good there to win a championship.

Regardless, Tennessee isn’t good at Safety. It seems to be the only position that hasn’t gotten better since Heupel arrived. And it needs to.

 

[lfvol]

…or that Moa is a Safety and a good one. Or both. Although I think Combay also has a chance to be very good.

Let’s face it…teams that win championships are strong at every position.

It can both be true that safeties are less valuable than other positions and that we still need to be good there to win a championship.

Regardless, Tennessee isn’t good at Safety. It seems to be the only position that hasn’t gotten better since Heupel arrived. And it needs to.

Completely agree with . Moa could be the answer but it’s always read like he is first a WR.

 

[jvols1999]

WR room seems pretty open to me past starters especially if you are planning on starting Keys. TSJ/RJ have been hurt and not on the field as much in general bc the main three have been good. The bench next year would be practically all first and second years (let's count Amari Jefferson as second year guy for the sake of the argument bc he missed first year) who have not proven anything in-game. This is why I think it would be best to get a veteran portal WR. Doesn't have to be a starter but you can't have one scholarship receiver (with no experience) on your bench at the end of a SEC game again like against Arkansas. Safety hopefully is going to be very open bc my goodness they were awful against Arky

But the likelihood of playing more than 4-5 is really low if past is precedent.

4/14 are locked in and then you’ve got this years freshman class plus Keys and the rest of the 26s. IMO portal WR isn’t needed and I doubt you could get someone good at a good price to come.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

But the likelihood of playing more than 4-5 is really low if past is precedent.

4/14 are locked in and then you’ve got this years freshman class plus Keys and the rest of the 26s. IMO portal WR isn’t needed and I doubt you could get someone good at a good price to come.

You need someone you can trust to play if need be. As I said, don't have to go get some big name. Just need someone with experience if someone did happen to go down. I like Travis Smith alot and RJ has a ton of potential but they haven't even been able to stay healthy this year. You don't have to go get a Brazzell replacement, but would feel better about the room if there was someone you could throw in and trust to catch a ball at every level of the field including over the middle if need be. Just someone that was in kinda that role they had for Webb/Chas last year. Got a lot of playmaking potential, just round out the room with a security blanket. If he gets passed up bc young guys are better, that's good. If he proves valuable, then you have better depth that way also and that's good too.

Very similar situation to bringing in Miles K at TE. You never know what can and will happen...

 

[walkenvol]

You need someone you can trust to play if need be. As I said, don't have to go get some big name. Just need someone with experience if someone did happen to go down. I like Travis Smith alot and RJ has a ton of potential but they haven't even been able to stay healthy this year. You don't have to go get a Brazzell replacement, but would feel better about the room if there was someone you could throw in and trust to catch a ball at every level of the field including over the middle if need be. Just someone that was in kinda that role they had for Webb/Chas last year. Got a lot of playmaking potential, just round out the room with a security blanket. If he gets passed up bc young guys are better, that's good. If he proves valuable, then you have better depth that way also and that's good too.

Very similar situation to bringing in Miles K at TE. You never know what can and will happen...

Wasn’t the same debate happening last year because Matthews and Stayley weren’t experienced? We pay significant NIL for these talented young guys. Only way to get experience is to be committed to playing them. We’ve got way too much young WR talent in the 2025 & 2026 classes to have them sit to use a more experienced but less talented player. JMO

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Wasn’t the same debate happening last year because Matthews and Stayley weren’t experienced? We pay significant NIL for these talented young guys. Only way to get experience is to be committed to playing them. We’ve got way too much young WR talent in the 2025 & 2026 classes to have them sit to use a more experienced but less talented player. JMO

Well Brazzell took that step starter wise. They still needed to add a vet to the bench as evidenced by the fact that the bench at the end of the Arkansas game was all walk ons once Staley went down

 

[LouderVol]

Well Brazzell took that step starter wise. They still needed to add a vet to the bench as evidenced by the fact that the bench at the end of the Arkansas game was all walk ons once Staley went down

If you are worried about next year, I don't think you take a transfer this year. I think its too late to PLAN on a new transfer WR contributing next year.

lately its taken 2 years for transfer WRs to have an impact in our offense.
Brazzell wasn't much of anything last year, and Thornton was nothing his first year. Jefferson hasn't sniffed the field this year, maybe injury I can't remember, but it fits the pattern.

Velus and the guy from Miss State were day one contributors in this offense, but I think that was more due to a complete lack of depth, and no one having experience in the system, around them.

even among the high school guys not too many break thru as freshman. Squirrel is the only one I can think of.

 

[RandomUTfan]

Yea, I mean his skills will probably translate to receiver quicker, but I remember him saying a big part of his surprise commitment was the chance to play multiple positions. a 6'2" almost 200 lb safety with great ball skills would be huge for this team if it works out that way

I'm skeptical we see him play both sides of the ball. Things are often said in recruiting and reality doesn't always bear out that way.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

If you are worried about next year, I don't think you take a transfer this year. I think its too late to PLAN on a new transfer WR contributing next year.

lately its taken 2 years for transfer WRs to have an impact in our offense.
Brazzell wasn't much of anything last year, and Thornton was nothing his first year. Jefferson hasn't sniffed the field this year, maybe injury I can't remember, but it fits the pattern.

Velus and the guy from Miss State were day one contributors in this offense, but I think that was more due to a complete lack of depth, and no one having experience in the system, around them.

even among the high school guys not too many break thru as freshman. Squirrel is the only one I can think of.

Don't need a starter. Need someone you can trust to hold up over the entire season and provide depth that can fill in if needed. Return two starters and Keys will be instant impact. Just need a reliable option on the bench that has the veteran experience that you trust to plug and play if someone goes down imo. Kinda what Kaleb Webb could've been..

 

[jvols1999]

Don't need a starter. Need someone you can trust to hold up over the entire season and provide depth that can fill in if needed. Return two starters and Keys will be instant impact. Just need a reliable option on the bench that has the veteran experience that you trust to plug and play if someone goes down imo. Kinda what Kaleb Webb could've been..

The question is can you thread the needle of a guy willing to come in and be at best WR4 while also taking WR4-at best money? That's what we tried last offseason and found no takers...

 

[allvolrecruiting]

The question is can you thread the needle of a guy willing to come in and be at best WR4 while also taking WR4-at best money? That's what we tried last offseason and found no takers...

Felt like they tried too late in the spring when other programs started getting desperate with limited options. A lot of receiver skillsets in the country and that shows up with endless transfers to P4. All those guys they were looking at went to top P4 programs iirc. The early recruiting at the position kinda put the room in a bit of a pickle, but they overcame it every year with transfers (plus Ced/Hyatt breakouts) and now they're getting their guys finally coming up as mentioned. This shouldn't be a problem after this offseason imo

 

[RandomUTfan]

Don't need a starter. Need someone you can trust to hold up over the entire season and provide depth that can fill in if needed. Return two starters and Keys will be instant impact. Just need a reliable option on the bench that has the veteran experience that you trust to plug and play if someone goes down imo. Kinda what Kaleb Webb could've been..

We have one of the youngest receiver rooms in the country and one of the most talented. I doubt they go to the portal for another receiver. We lose Brazzell and that's basically it. All those guys will improve over the offseason because they have enormously-high ceilings. Then, as you pointed out, we are bringing in guys at the position who can potentially contribute right away. It would be more like we saw with the Freshman receivers last year. We have really talented guys in that room that haven't seen the field this year much at all.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

We have really talented guys in that room that haven't seen the field this year much at all.

Yeah bc they are hurt. Competition and a reliable body that has been in a college strength program for several years never hurts. If he doesn't play that's fine too bc those young players passed him up. Would rather have someone reliable and not need him than need someone and not have someone ready there. I've been a huge fan of Travis Smith and RJ has all the potential in the world, but with them out, once Staley went down, would have to had to put Dodson in I guess and then have a bench of like Trey Weary, Braylon Harmon, and other walk ons. I mean they did do this last year with getting Amari Jefferson, but he hasn't even appeared in a game here so until he does...

 

[RandomUTfan]

Yeah bc they are hurt. Competition and a reliable body that has been in a college strength program for several years never hurts. If he doesn't play that's fine too bc those young players passed him up. Would rather have someone reliable and not need him than need someone and not have someone ready there. I've been a huge fan of Travis Smith and RJ has all the potential in the world, but with them out, once Staley went down, would have to had to put Dodson in I guess and then have a bench of like Trey Weary, Braylon Harmon, and other walk ons. I mean they did do this last year with getting Amari Jefferson, but he hasn't even appeared in a game here so until he does...

Yeah, injuries to depth pieces has occurred, but we haven't had to rely on any of those guys to any large degree this season and I'm sure the plan for a couple is to play in 4 games and RS. I just don't see the argument for taking another player in the portal. The WR portal is always flush with talent and that's why those guys command a lower price than most fans would probably think. It's why some programs have excellent skill players but look average on the LOS. LOS players aren't cheap and the market in the portal for them is never great which contributes to the cost. So, it wouldn't be cost-prohibitive to add a guy, but you have already made commitments to the guys who are on campus and will be next year.

Jefferson is coming off a pretty significant injury and hasn't played but you have to think next year he looks to be healthy and should contribute.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Yeah, injuries to depth pieces has occurred, but we haven't had to rely on any of those guys to any large degree this season and I'm sure the plan for a couple is to play in 4 games and RS. I just don't see the argument for taking another player in the portal. The WR portal is always flush with talent and that's why those guys command a lower price than most fans would probably think. It's why some programs have excellent skill players but look average on the LOS. LOS players aren't cheap and the market in the portal for them is never great which contributes to the cost. So, it wouldn't be cost-prohibitive to add a guy, but you have already made commitments to the guys who are on campus and will be next year.

Jefferson is coming off a pretty significant injury and hasn't played but you have to think next year he looks to be healthy and should contribute.

I understand that with Jefferson. I'm not holding that against him but you still don't actually know what he will provide. You have no proof of concept. The entire plan past Staley/Matthews is well these young should be good. I agree they should but Tennessee is at a standard right now of competing for SEC championships which inevitably puts them in the title conversation. The standard is not just to be really good anymore, especially after that Georgia game.

Everyone is taking this as a slight toward the talent level of the young receivers. It's not that at all. It's giving insurance to a strength to push the young guys even more toward their potential. Shoot even Keys has been hurt this year unfortunately. It's just an insurance policy. As I said, you're not replacing Brazzell. Theoretically, the young players should pass said transfer. But anytime you can add a reliable veteran to add competition and stability to the depth of a position room for an affordable price, you should. Especially with how many plays these receivers have to play in a game. Obviously don't want anything to happen but more plays per game naturally should push you to create some competitive depth.

Do you absolutely end all, be all, need one or else? No. Would it help out in a variety of ways for the young guys behind the scenes? Absolutely. Don't have to go pay an Ayden Greene or something. Just someone you trust to stay healthy and good locker room fit

 

[allvolrecruiting]

I'd view the situation similar to getting Josh Schell on the DL this offseason. You had these incoming freshman the staff loved, a returning vet in Tyre West and some younger players you hoped took a step forward that have battled through some injuries and what not (i.e. Tyree Weathersby). Schell has one tackle on the year. Ending up not needing him to be a contributor and young guys had competition in the offseason to earn real playing time. That's all. He's there if you need him and keeps pushing forward the talented young players

 

[Heupel's Offseason Beard]

I'm skeptical we see him play both sides of the ball. Things are often said in recruiting and reality doesn't always bear out that way.

For sure

 

[NighthawkVol]

But can Joel Wyatt help Tennessee at Safety next year?

 

[LittleVol]

But can Joel Wyatt help Tennessee at Safety next year?

I’m starting to think he can…

I thought he was a damn fool, and that EDGE was his sure fire meal ticket. His EDGE tape is awesome. However he really is starting to come around as a safety. Playoffs start soon so he eventually will run into an elite passing team.

 

[jvols1999]

I'd view the situation similar to getting Josh Schell on the DL this offseason. You had these incoming freshman the staff loved, a returning vet in Tyre West and some younger players you hoped took a step forward that have battled through some injuries and what not (i.e. Tyree Weathersby). Schell has one tackle on the year. Ending up not needing him to be a contributor and young guys had competition in the offseason to earn real playing time. That's all. He's there if you need him and keeps pushing forward the talented young players

Respectfully disagree on Schell. We actually DID need our portal DT add to be a contributor when both Moi and Hobbs were out but unfortunately he’s not good enough.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Respectfully disagree on Schell. We actually DID need our portal DT add to be a contributor when both Moi and Hobbs were out but unfortunately he’s not good enough.

Oh yeah they needed DT bad and did nothing. View Schell as more of a SDE. Was referencing Utley/Dye as young players with Weathersby being young guy expecting to take a step and West the proven vet