University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Receiving Core Flourishes with New Athleticism Added to Bunch
April 03, 2024 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee wide receiver group has taken big steps during spring ball with the new additions of transfers and incoming freshmen. With the new boost of faces, the squad is leveling up their production each practice under the direction of third-year coach Kelsey Pope.
Pope and receivers Squirrel White, Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Chris Brazzell II spoke with local media following the conclusion of the eighth spring practice on Wednesday afternoon. The Vols worked out in shoulder pads prior to Thursday night's scrimmage.
"It's been physical, and it's good to see," Pope said. "I'll tell you, there are some days the defense wins. You don't always like that as a coach, but you do like to see which guys will respond to tough situations. That's one of the things we have tried to put an emphasis on in the spring. It's putting our guys in more physical situations. Last year, I can't tell you if we got a pass interference call. You probably are not going to get one. So, we have to start practicing that way and not even anticipating it. Regardless of what happens, you have to go make plays regardless of who is draped over you or pulling you."
White, a third-year veteran junior, returns as one of the main leaders in the receiving core. The Birmingham, Alabama, native produced his best season during the 2023 campaign with 67 receptions for 803 yards and two touchdowns. He produced three 100-yard receiving games, doing so against South Carolina, Alabama and Vanderbilt.
"The competition has been really good," White said. "The defense, they are flying around making plays. We are getting each other better each and every day. Coming out there with a mindset of having fun out there, just playing from snap to whistle."
Thornton Jr., a former Oregon transfer, returns as a primary outside threat for the Vols. Thornton Jr. posted 224 receiving yards on 13 receptions while securing one touchdown at Missouri, in which he sustained a lower-body injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
"To start, I am feeling very confident now that I have a year under my belt with the offense," Thornton remarked. "I feel like everything is a lot easier for me. Now I can play faster, and not have to think too much while I am playing. With things going a little bit better towards the end of last season, then with me going down, that's nothing I can control. I just used that as a way to get deeper in the playbook, build my faith and know what I need to work on when I come back."
Brazzell II has made his way to Rocky Top after a two-year stint at Tulane. Brazzell II brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the field and in the film room. The 6-foot-5 lengthy receiver saw action in all 13 games during last season and boasted 44 receptions for 711 yards while hauling in five touchdown passes.
"I'm a bigger and also a taller receiver," Brazzell said. " I'm not really like a big-body receiver who runs big-guy routes. I'm able to run a slant, curl or a dig route. I'm also able to take the top off. I feel like I am an all-around receiver."
Tennessee Football Press Conference | April 3, 2024
Wide Receiver Coach Kelsey Pope
On Dont'e Thornton Jr. dealing with his injury late last season and how much more comfortable he looks in spring practice…
"It was exactly what you said. He (Dont'e Thornton Jr.) had started in the slot. Once we got him outside, he looked a little bit more natural. It's unfortunate that he dealt with that injury right after that transition. He's picked up right where he left off. He's been consistent this spring. He's been playing fast. We are trying to make sure we watch his player load and his volume to make sure we keep him healthy. He's competed at a high level. He's had really good energy this spring. He's done a great job of leading us as well. He's vocal in that room. A lot of guys look to him for answers and advice. He's done an awesome job of being able to be that leader for us, one of those leaders for us so far."
On Chris Brazzell II and Dont'e Thornton Jr.'s similarities and differences with their skillsets…
"I think they're different in their skillsets, similar in build. For us, that entire room, we've done a good job — and it's a testament to coach (Josh) Heupel — getting longer on the outside. You talk about those two, Dont'e (Thornton Jr) and (Chris) Brazzell II, you talk about Bru (McCoy) who's coming back, you talk about Chas (Nimrod) and Kaleb (Webb), and the addition of Mike (Matthews) and Braylon (Staley)—you have some real length at wideout. We've done a good job of being able to acquire talent, but also a certain body type that helps you win in this league. So, both Chris and Dont'e have different skillsets, but their length on the outside is going to help us create separation and win 50-50 balls consistently as well."
On depth among the wide receivers and what competition has been like this spring…
"It's high right now. It's practice (number) eight, and we've had eight different rotations with the ones. Those freshmen have been in with the ones. We are trying to mix up that first rotation with as many guys as we can to force that competition level to continue to grow. The talent is there, I think. Like you said, we've got a really talented group. We have to build consistency. To do that, it has to be highly competitive every single day. Those guys, old and young, have done a great job of embracing that. They are taking it on the chin right now. They have been awesome."
On the challenge this spring and how receivers have been going up against the defensive backs…
"It's been physical, and it's good to see. I'll tell you, there are some days the defense wins. You don't always like that as a coach, but you do like to see which guys will respond to tough situations. That's one of the things we have tried to put an emphasis on in the spring. It's putting our guys in more physical situations. Last year, I can't tell you if we got a pass interference call. You probably are not going to get one. So, we have to start practicing that way and not even anticipating it. Regardless of what happens, you have to go make plays regardless of who is draped over you or pulling you. You won't get that call in this league. So, that physicality piece is definitely something we have emphasized, and the run game too. You can't just be a pass-catcher. Whether I am a true freshman or have been here for four or five years, you have to be able to be an asset in the run game. You have to be able to block your butt off, be a good teammate, and help the run game be efficient. I think as a group, we have been really good in that area this spring."
On what Chris Brazzell II can do to fit into the offense…
"Chris has a unique skill set. He's 6-3, 6-4, he is loose like a slot, he's smooth, he can obviously make the deep catches, you saw that on his film last year. He's really, really subtle and sudden in his transition. He's a big guy who has the ability to play small as well in tight spaces. We're fortunate to have him, his presence here has been seen, and it's also forced some other guys, and they're stepping their game up because they see that there's real competition in that room. It's been awesome to have him."
On what's jumped out to him about Mike Matthews…
"Mike is highly competitive. Super competitive. He hates to lose, he always wants to dominate. When he first got here, we had to control some of that. Typically, you won't win every rep because you're a true freshman coming into the SEC. We had to control some of that. He was getting frustrated when he did lose, and that would lead to the next play. He's done an awesome job for one of competing, but two, that kid is in the building every day. Him and Braylon Staley are in the building on their own every single day getting extra meetings, doing walkthroughs on their own. They've kind of seen the way we operate here, and they jumped right in, which is why they've seen success so far. Those freshmen have done a huge, tremendous job of coming in here and just getting to work. It's been paying off on the practice field for them."
On where he sees Nico Iamaleava taking ownership with the wide receivers during spring practice…
"I think, you just said it, ownership. Nico, he's owned it, he's taken accountability, he's kind of taken the bull by the horns. You see him a lot of times after the reps before I can get guys and coach them up, he's pulling them to the side. They're talking through what they see and trying to get on the same page. He's done an awesome job of doing just that, taking ownership."
Redshirt Sophomore WR Chris Brazzell II
On if the quarterback situation influenced his decision to transfer here…
"With Nico (Iamaleava), I know he has about three years left. Most places, the quarterback either left or had one year of eligibility. Coming here, I'm feeling comfortable with the quarterback, knowing I'm going to be here for two to three years. It was a big factor in that."
On what he can bring to this offense…
"I'm just hopefully able to win some games for the team. I feel like all of the receivers better each other. We have a lot of talent on the team, so meshing me with guys like Bru (McCoy) and Squirrel (White) should be fun."
On how he describes himself as a player…
"I'm a bigger and also a taller receiver. I'm not really like a big-body receiver who runs big-guy routes. I'm able to run a slant, curl or a dig route. I'm also able to take the top off. I feel like I am an all-around receiver."
Senior WR Dont'e Thornton Jr.
On his approach and confidence for this season after his injury from last season...
"To start, I am feeling very confident now that I have a year under my belt with the offense. I feel like everything is a lot easier for me. Now I can play faster, and not have to think too much while I am playing. With things going a little bit better towards the end of last season, then with me going down, that's nothing I can control. I just used that as a way to get deeper in the playbook, build my faith and know what I need to work on when I come back. Yeah, I feel like the injury was a bad thing, but at the same time it was something good for me."
On establishing himself as a leader in the wide receiver room in year two...
"Oh yeah, I definitely would say that. When I was a young guy in college, I know how hard it was for me with my transition, so I tried to lean on a bunch of older guys to get help. I just try to give back to all the younger guys. If I see a younger guy mess up on a route, I am going to be the first person to run to them before coach [Kelsey Pope] can even get to them. I try my best to help those young guys out and make it a little easier for them."
On the mental challenge after dealing with injuries...
"Like you said, with me dealing with multiple injuries throughout the season. The injuries I dealt with at the beginning of the season were a lot harder for me mentally, but after dealing with those things and getting through it, that injury was just a stepping stone. Not to let it discourage me a lot, but now I have this time to really lock in and focus on the things I can do off the field to help me when I get back on the field. It was better for me."
Junior WR Squirrel White
On the competition level this spring…
"The competition has been really good. The defense, they are flying around making plays. We are getting each other better each and every day. Coming out there with a mindset of having fun out there, just playing from snap to whistle."
On the confidence in redshirt freshman QB Nico Iamaleava...
"It gives us great confidence. We are still building chemistry on the practice field, but he is just really smooth out there."
On the competition at the wide receiver position…
"It's been great. Having Chris (Brazzell II) come in and two freshmen, the competition has been great. We have a pretty deep room. We are all battling for a spot, so we come in ready to work. We are doing a really good job."
