TENNESSEE VOLS FOOTBALL: Staley, Matthews on Biletnikoff watch list
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Tennessee wide receivers Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley have been named to the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation announced Wednesday.
The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the nation's outstanding receiver, regardless of position.
Staley, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, enters his third season on Rocky Top as one of the conference's top returning playmakers and an explosive threat from the slot. The dynamic receiver has played in 17 games with 13 starts, totaling 71 receptions for 858 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 12.1 yards per catch. His 68 receptions in 2025 rank as the most among returning SEC receivers. Staley recorded two 100-yard receiving performances and generated 414 of his 858 receiving yards after the catch.
A two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Staley enters 2026 poised to build on a breakout sophomore campaign and establish himself as one of the nation's elite receivers.
Matthews also enters his third season with the Vols as one of the SEC's top returning receivers and a proven go-to playmaker in Tennessee's offense. Matthews has recorded 60 receptions for 903 yards and six touchdowns during his Tennessee career, averaging 15.1 yards per catch. He has played in 24 career games with 13 starts and owns three career 100-yard receiving performances.
The Lilburn, Georgia, native was ranked No. 71 on Bruce Feldman's 2026 Freaks List by The Athletic and, like Staley, is a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.Tennessee is one of eight FBS teams with multiple receivers on the watch list, and one of three SEC teams.
The Biletnikoff Award will announce its semifinalists on Nov. 16, finalists on Nov. 24 and the 2026 winner on Dec. 11 at the Home Depot College Football Awards.
TE Ethan Davis All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
DL Xavier Gilliam All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)
OL Donovan Haslam East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
DL Daevin Hobbs All-SEC Third Team (Phil Steele)
DB Kayin Lee East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
WR Mike Matthews All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Biletnikoff watch list
DB TJ Metcalf East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
OL Wendell Moe Jr. Outland Trophy Watch ListWalter Camp All-America Second TeamAthlon All-America Third TeamAll-SEC First Team (Athlon)All-SEC Third Team (Media, Phil Steele)East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
DB Qua Moss East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
OL Jesse Perry All-SEC First Team (Phil Steele)All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon)
DB Ty Redmond Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch ListAthlon All-America Fourth TeamAll-SEC Second Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)
P Jackson Ross East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
OL David Sanders Jr. All-SEC Second Team (Athlon, Phil Steele)All-SEC Third Team (Media)
LB Edwin Spillman AFCA Allstate Good Works Team Nominee
WR Braylon Staley All-SEC Second Team (Athlon, Phil Steele) Biletnikoff watch list
LB Jeremiah Telander East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
OL Shamurad Umarov East-West Shrine Bowl 1000
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos