Tennessee wide receiver Braylon Staley was named the SEC Freshman of the Year.
The redshirt freshman burst onto the scene during his second year with the program.
He ranked sixth in the SEC in receiving yards (806) and receiving yards per game (67.2). Staley led SEC freshmen in both categories. He finished tied for the league lead among freshmen with six receiving touchdowns.
Against Alabama, he led all Tennessee receivers with a career-best 10 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown. The week prior he earned SEC Freshman of the Week after recording a career-high 109 receiving yards on six catches in win vs. Arkansas.
He truly splashed onto the season with his week one performance. Specially, his 73 yard reception against Syracuse.
Staley’s production led him to become one of 14 semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award and was named to The Athletic Midseason All-Freshman Team earlier this season.
For just the third time in Tennessee Football history, the Vols represent the SEC Freshman of the Year player. The wide receiver is also the first since of the turn of the century.
Running back Jamal Lewis (1997) and quarterback Peyton Manning (1994) also earned such honors.
Under Josh Heupel Staley is the fourth player to receive an individual SEC postseason award. Dylan Sampson (SEC Offensive Player of the Year – 2024), Hendon Hooker (SEC Offensive Player of the Year – 2022) and Velus Jones Jr. (SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year – 2021) were the other recipients.
The announcement came down Wednesday as voted on by the league’s head coaches.
