Fall camp in Knoxville brings the usual quarterback conversation, with Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre set to spend the next four weeks fighting for the job. But Tennessee has another real puzzle to solve on offense, and it starts with replacing Chris Brazzell after his move to the NFL.
Brazzell leaves behind a major chunk of downfield production, and the Volunteers need someone to step into those targets. The good news for Josh Heupel in year No. 6 is that the roster already has a few clear candidates, even if the answer isn’t settled yet.
Radarious Jackson appears to be the early name to watch. He carved out a role last season and earned the start in the Music City Bowl in Brazzell’s spot, though the outing didn’t do much to separate him.
Jackson caught only two passes that night, and he finished the season with nine receptions overall. At 6-2 and 208 pounds, he brings a year of experience in the offense, which matters in Heupel’s system.
Brazzell needed a second year to really get going, and the same pattern showed up with Jalin Hyatt, Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley.
Travis Smith Jr. is another player in the mix, and he may be the sleeper in the race. The former 4-star receiver caught three passes as a true freshman, and now he’s added 15 pounds, giving him a 6-3, 215-pound frame heading into the season. He’s also fighting for the same snaps as Jackson, which makes this one worth watching closely.
Then there’s TK, or Tristan Keys, the 5-star receiver Tennessee flipped from LSU. Landing a player of that caliber usually comes with expectations, and it would be a surprise if he didn’t contribute at some point this season.
The only real question is how fast that happens. Keys was the No. 12 overall player and No. 1 wide receiver in last year’s recruiting cycle, and his background as a track star gives Tennessee a downfield athlete who can do things other receivers simply can’t.
Tennessee has not often seen a freshman come in and make an immediate impact at receiver, but Keys has the tools to challenge that pattern. With Mike Matthews set on one outside spot and Braylon Staley in the slot, the Vols are sorting through Jackson, Smith and Keys to figure out who helps replace Brazzell’s production.
The room looks deeper now, with more experience and talent spread across the depth chart. That doesn’t solve the problem yet, but it gives Tennessee real options as camp gets rolling.
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