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Two Vols named to 2026 Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list
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- Two Vols named to 2026 Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list
Two Tennessee wide receivers were named to the 2026 Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list.
Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley were on the list, released by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation. The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding receiver, regardless of position.
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Staley, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, enters his third season with the Vols. He has appeared in 17 games, including 13 starts, totaling 71 receptions for 858 yards and six touchdowns. Staley's 68 receptions in 2025 rank as the most among returning SEC wide receivers. He recorded two 100-yard receiving yard games.
Matthews also enters his third season at Tennessee . He has recorded 60 receptions for 903 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging 15.1 yards per reception. Matthews has appeared in 24 career games, including 13 starts, and has recorded three 100-yard games.
Tennessee is one of eight FBS schools with multiple players on the watch list. The Vols are also one of three SEC teams.
The Biletnikoff Award will announce its semifinalists on Nov. 16, finalists on Nov. 24 and a winner on Dec. 11.
George MacIntyre (L) and Faizon Brandon (R). Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Josh Heupel. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
George MacIntyre (L) and Joey Halzle (R). Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Sam Pendleton. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
David Sanders Jr. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Braylon Staley. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
TK Keys. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Ory Williams. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
DeSean Bishop. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
George MacIntyre. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
DaSaahn Brame. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
JJ Finch. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Ryan Staub. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Deon Hardin. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
CJ Edwards. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Dereon Albert. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
JJ Finch. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
George MacIntyre (L) and Faizon Brandon (R). Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
George MacIntyre (L) and Faizon Brandon (R). Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
Josh Heupel. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
George MacIntyre (L) and Joey Halzle (R). Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
Sam Pendleton. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
David Sanders Jr. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
Braylon Staley. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
TK Keys. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
Ory Williams. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
DeSean Bishop. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
George MacIntyre. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
DaSaahn Brame. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
JJ Finch. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
Ryan Staub. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
Deon Hardin. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
CJ Edwards. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
Dereon Albert. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee football kicks off 2026 fall camp
JJ Finch. Tennessee Volunteers kick off fall training camp at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tennessee on Aug. 5, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Two Vols named to 2026 Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list
