Tennessee Vols newcomer that was heavily criticized at times in 2025 receives huge national honor
A Tennessee Vols newcomer that was heavily criticized at times in 2025 received a big time national honor this week.
A Tennessee Vols true freshman who heard it from fans at times in 2025 received a big-time national honor this week.
Vols true freshman cornerback Ty Redmond wasn’t expected to be a key player for Tennessee in 2025. However, when junior cornerback Rickey Gibson went down with a season-ending injury in the Vols’ season-opening win over Syracuse, Redmond was thrust into a starting role.
Redmond had some tough moments early in the season as he adjusted to the speed and physicality of the SEC. But he continued to improve as the season went along, finishing the year with three interceptions and 10 passes defensed (both of which led the team).
The Athletic named Redmond a first-team freshman All-American this week as a result of his solid performance for the Volunteers in 2025.
“The three-star recruit from Georgia has started 11 games and tallied 39 tackles, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions,” noted The Athletic of Redmond. “He was credited with 12 havoc plays, fourth-most by all freshman defensive backs.”
Ty Redmond was a tremendous evaluation by Tennessee
I don’t think Tennessee is getting enough credit for its evaluation of Redmond during the recruiting process.
The former three-star recruit was rated as the No. 63 cornerback in the nation and the No. 702 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class. The only other SEC schools that offered Redmond were Missouri, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M.
Despite being an under-the-radar recruit, Tennessee quickly identified Redmond as a key target (the Vols were among the first Power-4 programs to offer him). Once Redmond arrived in Knoxville, it didn’t take long for him to prove to the coaches that their evaluation was spot-on.
“Ty has had a really good spring, and right where he left spring, you know, he’s really tacked on here in the fall, showing a lot of consistency [and] playmaking ability,” said Vols defensive backs coach Willie Martinez in August. “We feel really comfortable with Ty, what he’s been able to do here [in] one-on-one situations with some of our great wide receivers. And he has good command of our package, meaning he knows our scheme. He knows how to play to it, so you build a trust, obviously, within the staff and with the players. And he gives us the versatility that I was just talking about.”
A big reason Redmond made such a quick impact was the way he approached spring practice and fall camp.
“Just looking at the older guys and trying to implement some of the small things [they do] into my game,” said Redmond at the start of fall camp. “So I can be even better than when I came in. I came in pretty skillful, but I [haven’t] seen it all. So, taking mental reps and looking at the older guys and putting it into my game.”
“Even in the film room, at first I wasn’t a heavy note taker, but watching those guys, it takes a lot to play the position. So watching those guys take notes, and how detailed they are in the film room, that really helped me a lot.”
Redmond is expected to be one of Tennessee’s top defenders in 2026.
Vols wide receiver Braylon Staley also received freshman All-American honors
Redmond wasn’t the only Vol to receive freshman All-American honors from The Athletic.
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Braylon Staley was also named a first-team freshman All-American this week.
“The 2024 four-star recruit from South Carolina ranks second among freshman receivers with 64 catches for 806 yards and six touchdowns,” noted The Athletic. “Staley caught a season-high 10 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Alabama and had two 100-yard receiving games.”
Staley also went through some tough moments this season, specifically in Tennessee’s overtime win against Mississippi State. The South Carolina native muffed a punt and struggled early in the game, but he made a critical third-down conversion on the Vols’ game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter.
“Personally, I think the third down catch versus Mississippi State,” said Staley. “Because it obviously started rough for me in the beginning of that game. But I think the receiving room, Chris (Brazzell) and Mike (Matthews), they stayed in my ear on the sideline the whole time. Coach (Kelsey) Pope, obviously, [too]. But I think just staying in the game and staying in the moment helped me a lot. And then when they called my name, I had to be ready to make something happen.
“After that game, I bawled my eyes out because it was my first road game as a starter. And I didn’t want it to go that way. But, you know, things happen. And so, I bawled my eyes out. But I had my guys around me to say, like, ‘You’re good, you made a big catch.’ So I love them boys for that.”
Staley also made one of the best plays of the year in Tennessee’s loss to Oklahoma, making an incredible move on a 54-yard touchdown reception.
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