Tennessee receivers coach Kelsey Pope has a challenge that most college football coaches would gladly accept. It’s his job to choose which of his many standout players will be in the game.
Hmm, tough gig.
“It’s a lot like basketball,” Pope said during Tennessee’s press conference session on Tuesday when asked how he chooses who is in the game and when. “You really have to identify what type of game it is. If you have a hot hand, you have to feed it. That’s really my mindset.”
One of those pair of hot hands belongs to senior Dont’e Thornton. His 242 yards receiving, three touchdown receptions and whopping 35-yard per catch average lead all Vols. That’s saying something considering some labeled him as a bust last year when he transferred from Oregon before the 2023 season.
So what has changed? Thornton’s mindset, pure and simple.
“I think that’s probably the biggest thing that he’s done that has helped him,” Pope said. “That’s been his biggest benefit. For him, it’s just being able to go play free and play confident. As long as he’s doing that, I think we’ll continue to get the best version of him.”
Thornton has made it tough to see the “best version” of some other receivers because he’s hogging most of the big plays leading into No. 4 Tennessee’s matchup against Arkansas on Saturday at 7:30 EST. However, another transfer is finding his way.
Wideout Chris Brazzell II, who transferred from Tulane, has 11 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown this season. The sophomore hasn’t faced the same growing pains that Thornton dealt with last season, but there have been some.
“Chris knows the system,” Pope said. “He understands it. He’s been really good at times. Other times he hasn’t really been to the standard. Again, it’s something that starts in practice. As he continues to go, he’s obviously progressing and getting better.
“I think as long as he has the right focus and comes in with the right mentality, the sky will continue to be the limit for him. The consistency piece will continue to be the factor. If we can’t be consistent, you won’t see the best of anybody at any position. Consistency for him will be the key.”
It sounds like Brazzell and Thornton need to have a conversation about showing up everyday. Thornton has certainly mastered that skill, as evident by his production and how much he has been used.
Many came into the season thinking that freshman Mike Matthews would have an impact for the Vols. However, the former four-star prospect from Lilburn, Ga., hasn’t had the impact that is sure to come later in his career when he’s more mature and there isn’t as much older competition on the Vols’ roster.
“I’ve been impressed with his maturity,” Pope said. “He’s grown up a ton. From a football knowledge standpoint, he wants to be a sponge. He is always asking questions, always in the building.
“He is a guy going down the stretch, that is going to continue to make plays for us. He’s a guy we are going to need to make plays on the outside.”
That means more tough decisions to come for Pope, who isn’t complaining one bit.
