Tennessee football didn’t just dip into its youth movement in 2025 - it dove in headfirst. Under Josh Heupel, the Vols leaned on underclassmen more than ever before, and while the season had its ups and downs, several young players didn’t just hold their own - they thrived. That development paid off in a big way this past week when four Tennessee players were named to The Athletic’s Freshman All-American teams, the most of any program in the country.
Georgia came in just behind with three selections, while programs like Ohio State, Washington, and Notre Dame each placed two players on the list. But it was Tennessee that led the charge, a testament to both the talent Heupel has brought in and the staff’s willingness to trust youth in key spots.
Let’s break down the four Vols who earned national recognition - and why each one could be a foundational piece moving forward.
WR Braylon Staley - First Team
Braylon Staley didn’t just fill a role in 2025 - he became a focal point. After seeing limited action as a true freshman, the redshirt freshman stepped into the starting slot receiver job and never looked back. He racked up 64 catches for 806 yards and six touchdowns, finishing third in the SEC in receptions, sixth in receiving yards, and eighth in touchdown grabs.
What made Staley’s breakout so impressive wasn’t just the volume - it was the consistency. He became a reliable target in the middle of the field, showing off strong hands, sharp route-running, and the kind of elusiveness that makes defensive backs sweat. For a Tennessee offense that was searching for rhythm at times, Staley was often the spark.
The South Carolina native now gives the Vols a proven weapon in the passing game heading into 2026, and his emergence could be a sign of even bigger things to come.
CB Ty Redmond - First Team
Ty Redmond’s freshman season wasn’t supposed to start this way. But when Rickey Gibson went down with a season-ending injury against Syracuse, Redmond was thrown into the fire - and he responded.
Yes, there were some growing pains early on, as you’d expect from any true freshman cornerback suddenly lining up against SEC receivers. But Redmond got better each week, showing a steep learning curve and a knack for bouncing back from mistakes. He finished the year with 39 tackles, nine pass breakups, and three interceptions.
Opposing quarterbacks targeted him 70 times, and while he gave up 44 catches for 495 yards and five touchdowns, those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Redmond’s coverage tightened as the season progressed, and his ball skills flashed in big moments.
For a Tennessee secondary that’s been looking to reload, Redmond looks like a future cornerstone.
OL Jesse Perry - Second Team
Every camp has a surprise - and in 2025, Jesse Perry was Tennessee’s. The redshirt freshman offensive lineman came out of nowhere to win the starting right guard job in fall camp. Then, when David Sanders went down with an injury the week of the Syracuse game, Perry shifted to right tackle without missing a beat.
The Middle Tennessee native ended up splitting time between guard and tackle throughout the season, showcasing impressive versatility. Across all those snaps, he allowed just 10 quarterback hurries and two sacks - both of which came while playing guard against Vanderbilt.
For a young offensive lineman, that kind of adaptability is rare. Perry not only held his own but showed he could anchor multiple spots on the line. That’s the kind of flexibility that gives coaching staffs options - and gives quarterbacks peace of mind.
LB Edwin Spillman - Second Team
Edwin Spillman’s 2024 campaign was derailed by a hand injury, but he made up for lost time in 2025. Even though he didn’t technically start, the redshirt freshman played the second-most snaps of any linebacker on the team - and made them count.
Spillman racked up 74 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two pass deflections, and an interception, flashing the kind of sideline-to-sideline range and downhill aggression that coaches crave. According to PFF, he graded out as the seventh-best inside linebacker in the SEC - not bad for a guy who wasn’t even listed as a starter.
His ability to diagnose plays quickly and finish tackles in space gave Tennessee’s defense a steady presence in the middle of the field. And with another offseason of development ahead, Spillman looks poised to take on an even bigger role in 2026.
The Bigger Picture
Four Freshman All-Americans is more than just a recruiting flex - it’s a sign that Tennessee’s player development pipeline is alive and well. These aren’t just talented kids; they’re contributors who stepped into the spotlight and delivered when the team needed them most.
For Josh Heupel and his staff, that’s a big win. For Tennessee fans, it’s a glimpse into a future that’s starting to take shape - one where the foundation is already being laid by a group of underclassmen who’ve proven they belong on the national stage.