Josh Heupel, head coach of Tennessee football, shares his candid WR depth statement.

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Tennessee Football Head Coach Josh Heupel Shares Honest WR Depth Statement

As the Tennessee Volunteers head into the 2025 football season, expectations are high. Coming off a successful 2024 campaign that saw the Vols make a strong run in the SEC and appear in a major bowl game, Tennessee football is poised to build upon that success under the leadership of head coach Josh Heupel. However, as the team prepares for another challenging season in the Southeastern Conference, one area of concern has surfaced: the wide receiver depth.

During his recent press conference, Coach Heupel offered an honest and insightful assessment of the current state of Tennessee’s wide receiver room. As the Vols continue to balance high expectations with a need for growth, Heupel’s transparency provides valuable context to what is shaping up to be a crucial position for Tennessee’s offensive success.

Heupel’s team has long been known for its high-flying, fast-paced offense, which has thrived under the guidance of the head coach. With an emphasis on spreading the field and attacking defenses vertically, Tennessee’s wide receivers have been a key part of the system’s success. Yet, as Heupel pointed out, 2025 presents some new challenges—especially as the Vols face a thinner depth chart than in previous years at the wideout position.

Assessing the Current State of the Wide Receiver Room

At the heart of Heupel’s comments was an acknowledgment that the wide receiver room, while talented, is not as deep as it has been in recent seasons. After losing several key contributors to graduation and the NFL Draft, Tennessee enters 2025 with a mix of promising young talent and veterans who are still working to find consistency. For Heupel, this presents both an opportunity for growth and a challenge that will need to be addressed if Tennessee is to continue competing at the highest level.

“Look, we’ve got a lot of talent in that room,” Heupel stated. “But we also have a group that is a little thinner than we’re used to. We’ve got some guys who are ready to step up, and we’ve got some who need to prove they can handle the increased responsibility. We’re still working through that depth chart.”

The loss of key players like Cedric Tillman, who went on to the NFL after a standout 2023 season, has left a significant hole in Tennessee’s passing game. Tillman’s combination of size, speed, and ability to make clutch catches in big moments made him one of the most reliable targets in the Vols’ high-octane offense. His departure to the NFL left a leadership void that young players like Squirrel White and Brandon Thomas are expected to fill.

White, a speedster with the ability to stretch the field, enters his sophomore season with high expectations. He showed flashes of brilliance in 2024, but Heupel has made it clear that White’s development will be critical for the Vols’ success. However, despite his potential, White is still adjusting to the demands of being a top target in a high-powered offense. Thomas, a veteran receiver with experience, is also expected to play a key role, but he has been inconsistent at times, leaving room for improvement.

“I think the challenge with the receiver room right now is not just finding the right guys, but also finding the right rhythm,” Heupel explained. “We need guys to step up and take on bigger roles. Whether that’s Squirrel White or Brandon Thomas or some of the younger guys, we need them to be ready. The offense is built to move fast, and we need those playmakers to do their job.”

Young Talent Poised for Growth

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the team’s depth at wide receiver, there is a strong sense of optimism surrounding Tennessee’s younger players. Heupel was particularly high on several incoming freshmen and redshirt players who are expected to see significant playing time in 2025.

Among the newcomers, Jadon Gibson, a true freshman from Memphis, has generated a lot of buzz in spring practice. At 6’4” and boasting impressive speed and physicality, Gibson is a player who could add an entirely new dimension to the Volunteers’ offense. Heupel has been pleased with Gibson’s maturity and his ability to quickly adapt to the demands of the college game.

“Jadon’s a guy who’s really impressed us with his maturity and his ability to make plays in practice,” Heupel said. “He’s still learning the offense, but he’s shown flashes of the talent we saw on film in high school. If he continues to develop, he’s going to have a big role in our offense.”

Along with Gibson, Tennessee has several other young players, including Julian Thompson and Raylen Williams, who have been making strides. Both players bring different skill sets to the table—Thompson is known for his route-running and hands, while Williams is a physical receiver capable of blocking and making tough catches in traffic. Heupel mentioned that the challenge for these young players is to continue refining their game and learning how to perform at the high tempo required by Tennessee’s offensive scheme.

“We’ve got a lot of young talent, but they need experience,” Heupel noted. “The key for them is not just learning how to run routes or catch passes—they need to get comfortable with the pace at which we play. That’s something we’ll focus on in training camp.”

The Importance of Team Chemistry

In addition to the physical attributes of his wide receivers, Heupel emphasized the importance of team chemistry in 2025. For the Vols’ offense to truly click, the receivers must be in sync not only with the quarterback but also with each other. With quarterback Joe Milton returning for his senior year, there is an opportunity for continuity and development in the passing game. However, for that to happen, the receivers need to fully understand Milton’s playing style and vice versa.

“We’ve got to make sure the chemistry is there,” Heupel said. “Joe Milton’s had a full year to develop with these guys, and now it’s up to the receivers to get on the same page with him. That means knowing where he likes to place the ball, understanding his timing, and being in the right place at the right time. It’s a process, but I’m confident these guys can get there.”

Milton, who has shown both flashes of brilliance and moments of inconsistency in his previous seasons, will play a critical role in how the wide receivers develop throughout 2025. If the quarterbacks and wideouts are able to connect consistently, the Vols’ offense could once again be one of the most explosive in the nation.

Depth and Development: A Long-Term Focus

Heupel’s honest assessment of the wide receiver depth is not just about 2025—it’s about long-term development and sustainability. While the lack of depth may present immediate challenges, the coach is focused on ensuring that the team develops players who can contribute to the program’s success for years to come.

“Depth is something we always try to build,” Heupel explained. “It’s not just about this year, it’s about the future. We want to develop a culture where we have depth at every position, and we want to give every player a chance to prove themselves. That’s what we’re working toward, and that’s something we’ll continue to focus on every day in practice.”

Heupel’s commitment to developing players both on and off the field has been a key aspect of his success as a head coach. His ability to get the most out of his players and create a competitive environment has been a major factor in Tennessee’s rise in recent seasons. Despite the challenges with wide receiver depth, Heupel’s track record of player development suggests that the Volunteers will continue to be competitive and poised for success in the SEC.

Looking Ahead: A Promising Future

While the immediate future for Tennessee’s wide receiver room may seem uncertain, the long-term outlook is bright. With a talented coaching staff, a quarterback with experience, and a stable of young, eager wideouts, the Volunteers are well-positioned to thrive at the position moving forward. Heupel’s honesty about the current state of the depth chart is an important reminder that success in college football is not always about immediate results—it’s about building a program that can sustain success over time.

As Heupel and the Tennessee coaching staff continue to develop their young wide receivers and work to find the right mix of talent and experience, the Volunteers are sure to remain competitive in the SEC and beyond. And while 2025 may present some growing pains at the wide receiver position, the future for Tennessee football looks brighter than ever.