Josh Heupel makes big statement about wide receivers at Tennessee
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel didn't come out this week and say that UT will soon be known as "Wide Receiver U" again, but he made it clear that wide receivers are going to thrive on Rocky Top. Heupel was asked by reporters about which wide receivers he thinks will step up in 2023 […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel didn't come out this week and say that UT will soon be known as "Wide Receiver U" again, but he made it clear that wide receivers are going to thrive on Rocky Top.
Heupel was asked by reporters about which wide receivers he thinks will step up in 2023 with Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman off to the NFL.
And his response left no doubt that he's confident in Tennessee's ability to consistently develop wide receivers at a high level.
"In year one, the question was wideout," said Heupel on Monday after Tennessee's first spring practice. "In year two after the departure of Velus (Jones Jr), it was wideout. [I] believe in the young guys we have in our program. They have to grow, and then they have to take advantage of their opportunities when they come. I believe in the guys that we have here."
"We have some vets that have played a lot of football and have played really well," added Heupel. "We have some new guys, young guys that are going to get more opportunities here. I believe we'll have guys that will step up and be able to play at a really high level."
Wide receivers have thrived under Heupel at Tennessee. From Velus Jones to Cedric Tillman to Jalin Hyatt, someone has always stepped up when needed. Ramel Keyton can be tossed into that group as well after stepping up and making some huge catches in key games for the Vols last season after Tillman's ankle injury.
Heupel is essentially sending a message to high school wide receivers across the nation — come to Tennessee and you'll produce at a high level.
It's hard to argue with results and the Vols have plenty of results now to show recruits.
