4-star WR Braylon Staley commits to Tennessee: 'Culture is amazing'

Aiken (S.C.) four-star wide receiver Braylon Staley was blown away by Tennessee. The No. 131 overall prospect in the On3 rankings for the class of 2024 has committed to the Volunteers.

Staley had other contenders but Tennessee made a strong push down the stretch. Tennessee’s culture was a major winner for the four-star wideout.

Staley connected with Tennessee’s players as well as the coaching staff.

“Tennessee just caught my attention, the culture there is amazing,” Staley told On3. “Their coaches are amazing. It was really the players. It was the relationships. I built relationships with the players just like I did with the coaches.”

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and wide receiver coach Kelsey Pope were major factors for Staley. He also had a chance to hear from freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava and senior quarterback Joe Milton among others.

“Me and coach Pope have been talking ever since he started recruiting me, coach Heupel, I talk to him on a daily basis,” Staley said. “I talk to Nico and Joe a little bit. I talk to Squirrell (White), Kaleb Webb, Bru McCoy all of them. I’ve really just built a good relationship.”

Tennessee’s pitch to Braylon Staley as a major playmaker paid off

Staley has a reputation as a deep threat. Tennessee plans on utilizing that aspect of Staley’s game as well as his track speed in as many ways as possible.

The creative outlook on Staley’s skillset was a major selling point in favor of the Volunteers.

“I think it’s going to be really fun, that offense is fast-paced,” Staley said. “They said they’re going to use me, outside, inside and maybe even in the backfield just to swing me out and give me an open field to do my job…It was good. Some schools wanted to use me as a Tank Dell-like wide receiver. Shannon Dawson was his offensive coordinator at Houston.”

Tennessee fan base makes impact

Staley has seen a lot of love from Tennessee’s fan base throughout the process. Their reaction to him has been a unique experience.

“That fan base is amazing,” Staley said. “Ever since I posted the last photoshoot, they’ve just been on it, commenting and liking. They’re amazing.”

Staley is the first wideout the Volunteers have landed in the class of 2024, though four-star athlete Boo Carter can play wide receiver. Tennessee is also trending for five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews according to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine.