Projecting Tennessee Football’s Wide Receiver Depth Chart After Spring Camp: Who Stands Out, Who Surges, and Who Falls Behind
Spring camp is officially in the books, and Tennessee football fans are already buzzing with speculation about how the wide receiver room is shaping up heading into the 2025 season. While the Volunteers return some familiar faces, they also saw notable departures and welcomed new talent into the mix. The post-spring picture gives us the best available insight into who could be lining up out wide for head coach Josh Heupel and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle when the Vols take the field this fall.
The biggest story coming out of the wide receiver room isn’t necessarily who has stepped up—it’s the collective growth of a group that lost a few key contributors from the 2024 campaign. With Squirrel White returning as the presumed No. 1 receiver, the expectation is for him to lead both by production and by example. The former slot specialist has expanded his route tree and developed as a complete threat. He was used in various ways this spring, and the coaching staff continues to rave about his work ethic and consistency. After recording 53 catches for 668 yards last season, White looks ready to surpass those numbers with a more prominent role in Tennessee’s tempo-driven offense.
Challenging White for targets is sophomore phenom Nathan Leacock, who impressed with his physicality and explosiveness. After redshirting in 2023 and contributing in a limited capacity last fall, Leacock looks like a breakout candidate this year. His blend of size and speed has become a matchup nightmare during practice sessions, and several observers noted his improved chemistry with the quarterbacks. If his trajectory continues, Leacock could be one of the top downfield threats in the SEC this year.
Another riser on the depth chart is redshirt freshman Marquarius “Squirrel” White—not to be confused with the aforementioned Squirrel White, as the staff occasionally used multiple “Whites” in the same offensive set. However, it’s actually Kaleb Webb who appears to have the clearest path to securing the WR3 role. At 6-foot-3, Webb offers a different dimension with his length and ability to win contested catches. He was a standout performer in the Vols’ spring scrimmage, catching multiple passes in tight coverage and showcasing an improved release off the line. Coaches noted that Webb had “taken the next step” mentally and physically, earning trust in situational packages.
Returning contributor Chas Nimrod has also been a steady hand for Tennessee. Though not the flashiest athlete, Nimrod provides reliability and positional versatility. He’s been cross-training at multiple receiver spots and could be used as a chess piece to exploit mismatches or spell other players without a significant drop-off. He was often paired with second-team quarterbacks during spring, indicating he may not be in the top three just yet, but his experience will make him difficult to keep off the field.
One of the most exciting developments during spring camp was the early emergence of true freshman Braylon Staley. A top-150 recruit in the 2025 class, Staley has wasted no time asserting himself. While still learning the nuances of the offense, Staley’s speed and burst have flashed repeatedly. The staff gave him first-team reps during the final week of spring practice, a rare nod for a freshman in a deep room. While he may begin the season in a rotational role, it would not be surprising to see him take on a larger role by midseason if his development continues.
Transfer portal addition Chris Brazzell II brings another intriguing dynamic to the group. The former Tulane standout joins Tennessee after a productive 2024 season where he hauled in 44 catches for 711 yards and five touchdowns. At 6-foot-5, Brazzell adds much-needed height to the unit and has already proven he can stretch the field. His adjustment to the Volunteers’ high-tempo system is ongoing, but he offers an immediate red zone and deep-ball presence that the team has lacked in recent years. His experience could vault him into a starting role depending on how quickly he gets up to speed.
The quarterback situation also factors into the equation. With Nico Iamaleava now entrenched as the starting quarterback, continuity and trust with receivers become critical. Iamaleava spent much of the spring developing chemistry with the top trio of White, Leacock, and Webb. The young signal-caller’s strong arm and mobility create opportunities for wide receivers to extend plays, and his comfort with these three suggests they’ll be the go-to targets early in the season.
Further down the depth chart, sophomore Cameron Seldon has shown signs of being a gadget player capable of lining up both in the backfield and out wide. Seldon is a versatile athlete with elite open-field speed, and while he may not be a full-time receiver, the coaching staff plans to use him in packages designed to get him the ball in space. His hybrid role makes him a wildcard in the depth chart projection.
Another name to watch is Dont’e Thornton Jr., who entered last season with high expectations but struggled to find consistent footing. After battling injuries and inconsistency, Thornton used this spring to reset. Though he didn’t dominate headlines, his raw tools are still elite, and the staff hasn’t given up on him. His experience, combined with the ability to operate both outside and in the slot, gives him a chance to carve out a rotational spot if he can stay healthy.
In terms of pure depth, Tennessee looks as strong as it has under Heupel. Walk-ons and underclassmen like Parker Leise and Nathan Hibbler may not see much action this fall, but they helped elevate the level of competition throughout camp. Coaches have repeatedly praised the overall attention to detail and intensity of the wide receiver group during practices, pointing to a room that understands the high standard expected at Tennessee.
With Heupel’s offense typically running three to four receivers per set and favoring up-tempo execution, there will be plenty of opportunities for multiple players to shine. The Vols want to be ten-deep at receiver and rotate often to keep players fresh. That means the WR4, WR5, and even WR6 roles are not merely backups—they’re important contributors. This philosophy also explains why spring reps were distributed broadly across the group rather than being concentrated on only a few.
By the end of camp, it became clear that White, Leacock, and Webb were taking the lion’s share of first-team reps. Brazzell and Staley were the next names up, and Thornton and Nimrod served as the primary backups. If Tennessee had to line up for a game today, that’s likely the pecking order, but that could still shift during fall camp, especially with continued development from younger players.
As the Volunteers look ahead to a schedule that features early challenges against Power Five defenses, the need for consistent, explosive receiver play is paramount. While White is poised to be the alpha, the emergence of Leacock, Webb, and Brazzell ensures that defenses won’t be able to key in on just one option. The collective depth and versatility of this group may not feature a household name like Jalin Hyatt or Cedric Tillman just yet, but the pieces are in place for this unit to be both productive and unpredictable.
Ultimately, Tennessee’s wide receiver room appears to be on the verge of a significant breakthrough. The blend of veteran experience, youthful upside, and strategic additions through recruiting and the portal has created a dynamic and competitive environment. For Heupel and Halzle, it’s a dream scenario—one that could fuel the Vols’ pursuit of an SEC East crown and beyond.
Expect more clarity to emerge during fall camp, especially as coaches start installing game plans and identifying roles more clearly. But for now, the post-spring depth chart gives fans every reason to be optimistic. The Vols have talent, they have speed, and they have a quarterback ready to light it up. If the receivers continue on their current trajectory, Tennessee’s offense could once again be among the most explosive in the country.
