A consensus four-star recruit. The second-highest rated wide receiver in the state of South Carolina. Nationally ranked inside the top-300 players.
According to national recruiting services, that was how Braylon Staley was classified.
The hopes were high for the wide receiver.
Though in his true freshman season, he saw limited action.
However, he checked in to one of the biggest games of the year when Tennessee played in the CFP First Round game at No. 6 Ohio State.
There, he collected a season-high two catches for 11 yards.
A performance and opportunity that fueled him for 2025.
“If you work hard, it comes,” said Staley’s father, Brian. “If you don’t, man, okay, somebody else will take it.”
A message Braylon has certainly taken to heart.
Tennessee’s first game of the 2025 College Football Season saw Braylon haul in the most explosive play of the game.
A 73-yard touchdown bomb.
With his father and family in the stands inside Mercedes Benz Stadium, they were overcome with excitement.
“Man, I just saw him like, “Run, son, run,” exclaimed Brian.
Braylon reeled in a career-best four catches for 95 yards and a touchdown in his first-career start versus Syracuse.
A result that left Brian without a voice from all the cheering.
“It meant a lot to me and I know it meant a lot to him, too,” said Brian.
With that performance, Braylon also earned the SEC Freshman of the Week.
The first game as a starting wide receiver for the Tennessee Volunteers was a simple reflection of Braylon’s dedication.
During fall camp his wide receiver’s coach, Kelsey Pope highlighted that’s what he appreciates most about the redshirt-freshman.
“I think Braylon is awesome,” said Pope. “As good as he is, as talented as he is, he’s a really good kid and he’s really curious. He’s the guy you want in your building to try and model themselves after.”
Qualities his father also sees.
“It was just just seeing the perseverance from year one coming into year two, just being patient to wait till the time come. And it happened.”
Through three games, the receiver has 18 catches for 231 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“It’s been rewarding when you can see that the time and the work that he’s put in to have the coaches trust him to be able to do that. It’s really, really great,” said Brian.
Pope also shed light on how many hours Braylon and his teammate, Mike Matthews, spend in his office going over film, sharpening their mental game.
“We got a saying, “We get it out the mud,” so we work hard for it. Everything that we want in life and that we acquire. We want to work hard for it,” said Brian.
That support, is something Braylon can always count on.
“Man, it means a lot,” said Braylon.
“I call my dad every day. I call my mom every day,” said Braylon. “We talk about the game. You know, he keeps telling me to lock in. Have a great mindset coming into the game and just focus.”
Phone calls Brian eagerly awaits.
“I don’t care how late it is, I’m answering,” said Brian.
The chances the Staley family has to see Braylon during the Vol Walk or in-game, are moments they cherish.
“We’re just a family, a tight knit group. And, you know, just to see him come down and just to have a smile on his face, and you know, it does a lot for me. It does a lot for his mom and his sister and a brother, you know, it just, “Hey, it’s a really, really good feeling.'”
As Southeastern Conference play begins, Brian’s message remains constant.
“Play hard. Do your job. Be a great teammate, and let’s go,” said Brian.
