“Former Tennessee Vol Eyes Rise After Strong 2024 Comeback Lands Him on NFL Watch List He Aims to Climb in 2025”

There’s a quiet resolve in the way the former Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver carries himself these days. After a tumultuous early NFL journey filled with moments of uncertainty and challenge, the 2024 season marked a resounding return for a player who had once electrified SEC defenses with his speed and swagger. Now, heading into the 2025 campaign, the wideout isn’t just looking to maintain his newfound momentum—he’s aiming to climb, to rise, to prove that the fire he carried out of Knoxville still burns with purpose at the highest level of football. His placement on the NFL Watch List heading into the new season is both a nod to his resurgence and a challenge he fully intends to meet.

Back during his Tennessee days, the receiver was known for being an uncatchable blur in orange and white. Defenders who underestimated his acceleration often found themselves trailing helplessly as he streaked down the field. His collegiate highlight reel was filled with explosive plays, game-breaking touchdowns, and moments that made Vols fans believe he was destined to be the next great NFL deep threat. But the transition to the professional ranks is rarely smooth, and for him, it was marked by inconsistency, coaching changes, and the kind of setbacks that often define careers before they even begin.

In his first two years in the league, he struggled to find his footing. Drafted with promise but inserted into a system that didn’t fully utilize his strengths, he bounced between starting snaps and bench roles. There were flashes—moments where the old Tennessee brilliance flickered through—but they were fleeting and often overshadowed by injuries, quarterback instability, or schematic limitations. The narrative began to form: another college star who couldn’t quite make the leap. Yet through it all, he kept grinding, kept believing, kept working in the shadows. That belief, coupled with an opportunity that finally aligned in 2024, sparked the beginning of his resurgence.

The 2024 season was supposed to be another year of survival. But instead, it became a year of emergence. With a new offensive coordinator who understood how to unlock his vertical capabilities, and a quarterback willing to trust him in critical moments, the receiver began to reassert his presence. He didn’t just return—he exploded. His route-running sharpened, his separation returned, and most importantly, his confidence roared back. Week after week, he carved up defensive backfields, finding seams, catching contested balls, and reminding everyone exactly why his name once commanded awe on Rocky Top.

By the end of the 2024 campaign, he had amassed the kind of statistics that couldn’t be ignored. Multiple 100-yard games, clutch touchdowns in high-stakes situations, and a yards-per-catch average that ranked among the best in the league all helped put him back on the radar. But perhaps more significantly than the numbers was the way he did it—with purpose, consistency, and leadership. Teammates began to speak about his impact in the locker room. Coaches pointed to his film during team meetings as a model of effort and execution. Analysts started rewriting the story, this time with a more hopeful tone. And then came the NFL Watch List—a curated roster of players expected to make waves in the coming season—and his name was there, bolded and unmistakable.

For the wideout, the inclusion meant more than just recognition. It represented validation. Everything he endured—the doubts, the setbacks, the nights spent watching film long after practice had ended—had led to this moment. But if there’s one thing he’s learned through his journey, it’s that validation is fleeting. What matters now is action. He doesn’t just want to stay on that list—he wants to rise through it, leapfrogging over bigger names, proving that his ceiling is still ascending.

The offseason leading into 2025 has been nothing short of obsessive for him. Training sessions that begin before dawn, speed drills aimed at trimming milliseconds off his release, and a nutrition plan that reflects his renewed discipline all signal that he’s not settling. Coaches have noted the physical transformation, but more importantly, they see the mental one. He’s more vocal now, not in a brash way, but in a way that commands respect. Young receivers look to him for advice. Quarterbacks trust him to be where he’s supposed to be. And defensive coordinators, once dismissive, now circle his name in red ink when crafting their game plans.

There’s also a chip on his shoulder—the kind that only comes from being counted out and fighting your way back. He remembers the headlines, the whispers, the social media chatter labeling him a bust. He doesn’t dwell on it, but he doesn’t forget either. Every time he lines up across from a defender, there’s a fire that says, “I’m still here, and I’m better than ever.” That edge, that hunger, is what separates him now. It’s no longer about proving others wrong—it’s about proving himself right.

And the league is starting to take notice. Defensive backs speak with a tone of respect when asked about him. “You can’t sleep on him anymore,” one cornerback admitted. “He’s got that speed, sure, but he’s got savvy now too. He sets you up, makes you bite, then he’s gone.” Analysts are projecting bigger roles for him, more targets, more responsibilities. And with a quarterback who appears to have full confidence in his ability, the stage is set for a potential breakout season that could redefine his career.

There’s also the undeniable pride he carries for where he came from. Tennessee remains a core part of his identity. He still keeps in touch with former Vols teammates, occasionally posts throwback clips on social media, and has made it a point to mentor current UT receivers in the offseason. That orange blood runs deep, and he wears it as both a badge of honor and a reminder of the work ethic instilled in him during those formative college years. It’s not just about making it in the NFL—it’s about honoring the path that got him there.

As the 2025 season approaches, the goals he’s set for himself are both lofty and personal. He wants a Pro Bowl nod—not just for the accolade, but to cement his place among the league’s elite. He wants to eclipse the 1,200-yard mark, a benchmark that would solidify his status as a top-tier threat. But more than anything, he wants to help his team win—whether that’s hauling in a crucial third-down catch or drawing coverage that opens up space for a teammate. His approach is selfless but fueled by internal ambition.

Coaches often say that the best players are the ones who learn how to be professionals—how to manage their bodies, prepare mentally, and lead by example. By all accounts, this wideout has checked every one of those boxes. The mistakes of his early career are now teaching points for younger players. The frustration he once felt about lack of opportunity has morphed into a quiet gratitude for every snap he gets. There’s maturity now. Not just in how he speaks, but in how he plays. Every route is sharp. Every catch is intentional. Every celebration is tempered with focus on the next play.

NFL seasons are unpredictable, and success is never guaranteed. But if trajectory and preparation are any indication, then this former Tennessee star is positioned for something special. The 2024 comeback laid the foundation. The 2025 season could be the breakthrough. And as he continues his climb up the NFL Watch List, fans, teammates, and analysts alike are beginning to see what he’s known all along—that his journey was never about being the fastest to the top. It was about staying true to the grind, embracing the setbacks, and rising when it mattered most.

There are no guarantees in football, no promises that hard work will always be rewarded. But sometimes, when the stars align with sweat, belief, and timing, the result is a player reclaiming his narrative and writing a new chapter. For this former Volunteer, that chapter is just beginning, and its opening sentence has already made headlines. The rest, he hopes, will be written in yards, touchdowns, and victories. And if he has his way, by the end of 2025, that watch list won’t just include his name—it might just revolve around it.