Braylon Staley named SEC Freshman of the Year

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Tennessee wide receiver Braylon Staley was named SEC Freshman of the Year by the conference’s head coaches on Wednesday.

Staley became the third Vols’ player to earn the honor in program history, joining running back Jamal Lewis (1997) and quarterback Peyton Manning (1994).

Staley is the fourth Tennessee player in Josh Heupel’s tenure as head coach to win a SEC individual postseason award, joining 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).

The redshirt freshman ranked sixth in the conference for receiving yards (806) and receiving yards per game (67.2). Staley led all SEC freshmen in both categories. He also tied for the league lead among SEC freshmen with six touchdown receptions.

Staley was named SEC Freshman of the Week twice following victories over Syracuse and Kentucky. He was one of 14 players named a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. Staley was also named to The Athletic Midseason All-Freshman Team this season.

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Braylon Staley becomes third Vol named SEC Freshman of the Year

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