An offseason filled with chaos got that much more hectic for Tennessee over the weekend, as Chris Brazzell II, the Volunteers' leading returning wide receiver, was charged with speeding and driving with a suspended license.
The charges are related to an Aug. 8 arrest in Knoxville. Brazzell, the son of a former NFL and CFL player and brother of a Tennessee walk-on defensive back, was pulled over a stone's throw away from the Volunteers' campus. The 21-year old is expected to go to court in the next few weeks.
With that, here's what you need to know about Brazzell's arrest and how it could affect the Volunteers' wide receiver depth chart going forward.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Chris Brazzell II arrest, explained
Brazzell was arrested on Aug. 8 after being pulled over for driving 60 in a 35 mph zone in downtown Knoxville. Brazzell, driving a black Dodge Charger near Tennessee's campus, was pulled over around 8:57 p.m. ET, according to police records obtained by Knox News.
Police said Brazzell produced a U.S. passport but told officers he didn't have his license with him. The officer reportedly checked Brazzell's motor vehicle records and found that his license was suspended after he failed to appear in a Blount County (Tenn.) court on Aug. 15, 2024.
MORE: Sporting News 2025 college football Preseason All-America team
Brazzell was summarily placed under arrest, with his history of "not appearing for court" being cited as the reason for his detainment. He was charged with speeding and driving with a suspended license and is set to appear in court on Aug. 20.
A former Tulane transfer, Brazzell enters the 2025 campaign with heightened expectations. He tallied 29 catches, 333 yards and two touchdowns in his maiden season in Knoxville and is expected to be one of the Volunteers' top targets in 2025. He's been a limited participant in practices thus far, rehabbing an unspecified injury, per Knox News.
"We are aware of the traffic stop involving Chris Brazzell II and have no further comment at this time," a Tennessee spokesperson told Knox News on Aug. 10.
MORE: Meet Pitt's Kyle Louis – the best LB in college football heading into 2025
Tennessee WR depth chart
Brazzell's arrest casts further doubt upon a wide receiver unit already shrouded in uncertainty. Tennessee has just seven scholarship wide receivers on its roster. Only three have appeared in a collegiate game, with Brazzell the most experienced of Josh Heupel's collection of pass-catchers.
Here's how the Volunteers' WR room looks at present:
| Rank | Name | Class |
| 1 | Mike Matthews | Sophomore |
| 2 | Chris Brazzell II | Junior |
| 3 | Braylon Staley | Redshirt freshman |
| 4 | Travis Smith Jr. | Freshman |
| 5 | Radarious Jackson | Freshman |
| 6 | Boo Carter | Sophomore |
| 7 | Trey Weary | Redshirt junior |
| 8 | Joakim Dodson | Freshman |
| 9 | Amari Jefferson | Redshirt freshman |