Loss of Kodi Burns could hurt Tennessee Vols' chances of landing 4-star WR
Earlier this week, news broke that Tennessee Vols wide receivers coach Kodi Burns is leaving Knoxville to join the New Orleans Saints' staff in the same role. Burns was a member of Josh Heupel's inaugural Tennessee staff. While it's never ideal to lose a staff member, it's something that's bound to happen as a program […]
Earlier this week, news broke that Tennessee Vols wide receivers coach Kodi Burns is leaving Knoxville to join the New Orleans Saints' staff in the same role.
Burns was a member of Josh Heupel's inaugural Tennessee staff.
While it's never ideal to lose a staff member, it's something that's bound to happen as a program experiences success.
Replacing Burns shouldn't be extremely difficult. Heupel will look for a coach who can gel with the current staff and, most importantly, recruit at a high level.
The recruiting aspect will be especially important when it comes to the Vols' pursuit of 2023 four-star wide receiver Kyler Kasper.
Kasper, 6-foot-5/195 lbs from Gilbert, AZ, is ranked in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 19 wide receiver in the country and the No. 3 player in Arizona.
The talented wide receiver is high on the Vols because of Heupel's wide receiver-friendly offense.
But the loss of Burns is going to be tough for Tennessee to overcome. The two had built a solid relationship together. With Burns gone, it could make Kasper reconsider the Volunteers' standing among his top schools.
"Tennessee could take a hit in Kasper’s recruitment since position coach Kodi Burns left," wrote Rivals.com national recruiting director Adam Gorney this week.
It was going to be tough to get Kasper to leave the west coast even with Burns in the picture. But now with Burns off to the NFL, this recruiting battle could come down to who Heupel hires to replace Burns.
In general, it would be wise for Heupel to find a wide receivers coach who has already built some solid relationships on the recruiting trail. That likely means staying away from NFL options.
Featured image via Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK/Tennessee Athletic Communications
