Friends, Teammates, Leaders
How Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley have stuck together for three seasons to lead Tennessee football’s wide receiver room
by Sarah Portanka
Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley have stuck together since day one.
Two seasons ago, the duo came to Tennessee as the only two wide receivers in their class.
“It was an automatic click,” Staley said. “To be able to hang around each other — in the building and outside the building — go over installs together and walk-throughs, it was just there. We clicked instantly when we got here.”
Beyond being new to the program, the once-freshmen were new to the state of Tennessee. They found a common thread as out-of-state recruits from the South — Matthews hailing from Lilburn, Georgia, and Staley from Aiken, South Carolina — and navigated their way together.
Now at the helm of their junior season, Matthews and Staley reflect on the experiences, values and people that guided them as they step up to lead Tennessee’s wide receiver room.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
“When we got here, we were just youngins,” Staley said. “Obviously we had older guys in the room to show us the way around here. When they left, it was already instilled in us to be leaders in the receiving room and take over. … I think this year … (coaches) are putting a big emphasis on leadership and getting young guys ready for when their time comes.”
At Tennessee, that leadership begins the moment players set foot on campus. Over the past two seasons, wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope assigned Matthews and Staley to recruits to be a guide through their official visits.
Staley recalled hosting TK Keys, Joakim Dodson and Tyreek King.
“Whenever I took them in my hands to go out and do whatever we did, I created a bond with those guys,” Staley said. “When they got here, it was just natural. … TK wasn't even committed here, so it was good just to be around him, show him the ways around Tennessee, show him the culture around here and be able to get him flipped to Tennessee. It was pretty amazing.”
Matthews hosted Travis Smith Jr. and Faizon Brandon. He emphasized the importance of connection that transcends the position group into the entire team.
“A lot of times, I’ll end up texting (Faizon) what’s up and bringing everybody together so it would be a big group. It kind of just plays out like that,” Matthews said.
As recruits became teammates, Matthews and Staley have taken that leadership to practice by evolving into mentors in the receiver room.
Staley praises the growth of King. As the freshman wide receiver navigates the slot position, Staley works to build him up and be a source of confidence.
“He just gets frustrated a lot when he doesn't do something the right way,” Staley said. “Being in his ear to tell him that next-play mentality is helping him a lot. He’s grown so much since he got here.”
“It’s really rewarding to have those guys be able to pour into us and process their entire transformation from high school to college,” Matthews added.
“The standard.”
Those are the two words head coach Josh Heupel and his staff use to describe Tennessee’s football program. Matthews and Staley know the standard, but for those who don’t, it is their job to teach it.
“I'm really big on trying to show the standard rather than speak it all the time,” Matthews said. “So, just trying to show them exactly what things should look like. When I was coaching them up, I’d tell them the type of looks and how to treat it. Just trying to lead by example.”
GROWING TOGETHER
Aside from witnessing team growth, Matthews and Staley reflect on the individual growth they have experienced throughout their time in the program.
“My biggest growth on the field is physicality,” Staley said. “Coming out of high school, I wasn't always the physical type to go in and do the dirty work, but I think now I’m able to play free in the offense. In the receiving room, leadership. I was never a talkative person, but now I'm able to talk in front of people and tell them what's wrong and what’s right. That’s my biggest growth.”
That growth was recognized as Staley was tabbed the 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year, becoming the third player in UT history to earn the honor and the first of his position. He started all 13 games of the 2025 season, tallying 68 receptions, 837 yards, and 6 touchdowns — leading among SEC freshmen in each of those categories.
Matthews also shined as a consistent and dominant offensive force, starting all 13 games and hauling in 53 passes for 813 yards and four touchdowns, as well as producing three 100-yard receiving games. His efforts placed him 11th among the SEC in receiving yards.
For Matthews, the biggest marker of growth and success begins with practice. A newfound attitude has given him the voice to lead.
“I would say my mental capacity, willingness, and attitude towards practice,” Matthews said when asked his biggest areas of growth. “A lot of times I would be in my head. I was frustrated thinking about the last play, and that just stacks on throughout practice. Seeing where I'm at now, I'm definitely way more vocal. I used to not even talk at all.”
BUILDING A LEGACY
Be it in the receiver room or individually, Matthews and Staley work to build progress that extends beyond their time at Tennessee. As junior leaders, they act with intention to influence the program once they leave.
“I definitely want to be impactful,” Matthews said. “I feel like the impact you have on a lot of people lasts longer than what you actually show on the field. I know a ton of great people that never played a snap here, but they taught me so much from their experiences.”
“A ball player,” Staley said when asked how he hopes to be remembered among the team. “One who came in and put his head down to work, did what he had to do and … just a respectful young man around campus, around the facility.”
From the leaders that built them to the leaders they have become, Matthews and Staley have relied on tradition and teamwork to lead their position group into a unit of success and a bond of brotherhood.
