The Tennessee Vols do not lack in offensive options going into the 2026 season. The team has an Adonis-like running back in DeSean Bishop. Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews are among the top returning wide receiver duos in the SEC. Ethan Davis could be set for a true breakout season, and DaSaahn Brame is showing signs of being a quality TE2 this year.

One position that isn’t yet settled is the third wide receiver position. There is plenty of talent there, with 2026 five-star TK Keys in the mix, as well as Travis Smith and Radarious Jackson, among others.

But it may end up being a bigger concern that some might have previously believed. And that concern comes straight from the horse’s mouth.

Tennessee wide receiver coach Kelsey Pope met with the media on Friday after practice, and he made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that no one has stepped up and staked a claim to that role yet.

Tennessee WR coach Kelsey Pope called out his wide receivers who are fighting for WR3 role

“I’m still searching,” Pope said. “Still searching, right? We’ve got to get consistent right now. So, it’s literally a search. If you know somebody, you let me know. Because it’s wide open right now. For me, it’s just consistency daily. Like, not being up and down, and that’s what I’m getting from a bunch of guys right now.

As far as Keys, Pope says he’s in that mix of guys he needs to see more from.

“He’s right in the mix. He’s right in the mix. So, between anybody in the room, really, if they can breathe and they’re in that room, that third spot is open for them. And right now it’s wide open. I’ve got guys some days who are peaking, and then the next we go down. But right now I’m still looking. We have to show consistency.

“And for me as receivers coach, I’ve got be able to put my name and stamp on a guy when we put him on the field. We’ve only got one guy that can play? We’ll play in freaking thirteen personnel. If we’ve got two? We’ve go twelve. If we’ve got three? We’ll play in eleven. But it’s got to be earned.”

Strong words there from Pope, no doubt. It’s clear that there have been plenty of flash moments from various players, but as Pope notes, it’s about putting those moments together day after day. Or, as defensive line coach Rodney Garner said earlier this week — when also criticizing his unit’s consistency — it’s about stacking good days.

Pope will get the first chance to see who stands out in a game environment on Saturday, when Tennessee holds its first scrimmage of fall camp. But whoever does manage to stand out, it’ll take way more than just that to make Pope comfortable with picking a third guy to join Staley and Matthews on the field.