Earlier this spring, Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel got a little “sassy” during an in-person interview in Nashville with 104.5 The Zone’s 3HL when asked about the perception of wide receivers in his system.

Over the last several years, there’s been endless criticism about Tennessee wide receivers and how they translate to the NFL.

“The guys that keep saying something about wide receivers, I’m not sure they watched any tape this offseason,” said Heupel.

“The league, defensively and scheme (wise), is dramatically different than when we first got here,” continued Heupel. “And that’s just the game. It’s a never-ending evolution and cycle. And so [there were] some things that we needed to add to our arsenal to help us out offensively.”

Those comments were directed mostly at media types who constantly criticize Tennessee’s offense.

Heupel’s words, however, were likely directed at some of the Vols’ rivals on the recruiting trail, too.

Tennessee is still dealing with negative recruiting from rivals

Former Vols wide receiver Dont’e Thornton confirmed in 2023 after he transferred from Oregon that other programs recruit negatively against Tennessee by using the wide receiver narrative.

“I would definitely say teams did try to downplay it,” said Thornton. “Saying that it don’t translate to the NFL style. But if you can get open, you can do that at the college level and at the NFL level.”

“People are going to say whatever they want to say,” added Thornton. “But if you can’t go out there and stop anyone, it works. Why stop it?”

It’s been three years since Thornton made those comments and nothing has changed.

“Are teams around the country trying to use that (narrative) against Tennessee? Absolutely they are,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs on Tuesday during an appearance on WNML’s SportsTalk. “It would certainly help Tennessee’s cause if a receiver from Tennessee really took off at the next level. Maybe that’s Chris Brazzell — he’s drawn rave reviews early on in Carolina.”

Teams may be negatively recruiting against the Vols, but it doesn’t seem to be working.

“I don’t think it’s killing them in recruiting,” said Hubbs. “Kelsey Pope is doing a great job of recruiting receivers, and receivers are coming in and being very productive (for the Vols).”

Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope has been absolutely crushing it on the recruiting trail. He landed a couple of stud wide receivers in the 2024 recruiting class in Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews (both finished in the top 11 in receiving yards in the SEC last season). Pope then landed several high four-stars in the 2025 recruiting class in Travis Smith Jr, Radarious Jackson, and Joakim Dodson. And in 2026, Pope landed the top wide receiver in the nation in TK Keys, plus the Vols also landed four-star Tyreek King, a player that some believe could contribute this fall.

It’s to the point where Tennessee is almost having to turn elite wide receivers away because there’s simply no room on the roster.

Tennessee isn’t going to land all of their top wide receiver targets — no one lands them all — but they sure aren’t hurting when it comes to signing elite wide receiver talent.

Maybe those other schools should save their breath and quit spreading a false narrative that obviously isn’t working.