ESPN named a Tennessee Vols standout this week as one of the 25 best players in college football at the midpoint of the 2025 season.

Vols wide receiver Chris Brazzell comes in at No. 12 on ESPN’s list.

“He had to wait his turn after transferring from Tulane, but after catching 29 passes during Tennessee’s 2024 playoff run, Brazzell is up to 32 midway through the 2025 season,” wrote ESPN’s Bill Connelly. “Oh yeah, and he’s just about the most explosive go-to receiver in the country. He torched Georgia for 177 yards and three scores, and while the Vols’ defense has regressed, Tennessee is still in the playoff hunt because of Brazzell and big-play passing.”

Brazzell, who is in his second season at Tennessee, has 32 receptions for 536 yards and seven touchdowns in six games this season. His best game came in Tennessee’s overtime loss to the Georgia Bulldogs when he caught six passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns.

Can Chris Brazzell bounce back after a “down” game in Tennessee’s win over Arkansas?

As good as Brazzell has been this season, he was an afterthought (in the box score at least) in the Vols’ 34-31 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks last weekend.

The Texas native caught just one pass for five yards against the Razorbacks.

According to Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar, Arkansas double teamed Brazzell (by cheating a safety to his side) for much of the game.

“Today, they were trying to take Brazzell out of the game,” said Aguilar after the game. “[Arkansas] was trying to double team him and play super soft (coverage). Braylon stepped up. When he got the ball, he produced pretty well.”

While Brazzell didn’t show up in the box score, his presence on the field, according to UT head coach Josh Heupel, was a big reason why redshirt freshman wide receiver Braylon Staley caught six passes for 109 yards against Arkansas.

“I don’t think you have to get [Brazzell] restarted,” said Heupel this week. “Sometimes, coverage dictates that the ball goes somewhere else. And Chris was a huge part of Braylon having a massive game in the middle of the football field. And Chris played at a really high level and man, can’t wait to go play with him on Saturday.”

Tennessee could certainly use a big game from Brazzell against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night.

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