Tennessee Receiver Braylon Staley Gives Back to His Community With Big Donation.
Tennessee wide receiver Braylon Staley is in the giving spirit.
In a post from Staley’s father, Brian Staley, on Friday afternoon, the rising Tennessee sophomore donated $6,000 to the Strom Thurmond Athletics Department, his former high school program.
Today, Braylon came back to Thurmond to be a blessing because God has blessed him to be just that,” Brian Staley posted to social media. “Man, when I tell you that you never know who you’re coaching or who’s in your building!! Coaches, we appreciate you guys so much! Luv you guys.”
Staley was born in Augusta, GA, but attended Strom Thurmond High School in Johnston, S.C., before joining the Tennessee football team as an early enrollee near the end of the 2023 season. Staley was a terrific prospect on the recruiting trail as a consensus four-star prospect, the No. 106 player in the class, and the No. 21 wide receiver in the class. Staley chose to take his talents to Tennessee over Clemson, Miami, and North Carolina.
The six-foot receiver didn’t play much during his freshman season but saw elevated action in the Vols’ playoff game against Ohio State with Tennessee dealing with several backup receivers entering the transfer portal. Two of Staley’s three catches on the season came against the Buckeyes as he recorded 11 yards in the game.
While Staley didn’t see a ton of action during his freshman season, his second year on Rocky Top should provide ample opportunity. Staley projects to be fully in the Tennessee receiving rotation next year after a year in the system and the departure of a handful of U.T. backups through the transfer portal this offseason. Staley is a skilled wide receiver who should quickly impress thanks to his speed and catch radius.
Tennessee’s players have been off campus for the winter break period but will return to Knoxville soon as classes are set to begin shortly. The Vols’ next big football activity will be spring training camp leading into the 2025 Orange & White Game in just a few months. We’ll get our first early glance at how Staley looks heading into his sophomore season during that stretch.
