Today we’re going to get to know rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell a little better by looking back on his five most impressive college games. The Panthers invested a third round pick in this year’s draft in the 6-foot-4, 198-pounder after two years at Tulane to begin his college career followed by two seasons at Tennessee. It’s never easy to jump from the American conference to the SEC, but Brazzell was up for the challenge.
In his first season with the Volunteers in 2024 he had a modest 29 receptions
for 333 yards and two touchdowns. But he followed that up in 2025 with an impressive 62 receptions for 1,017 yards and nine scores. As we look back on his college career, these five box scores jump off the page:
No. 5 – Tennessee vs. East Tennessee State, 2025
Stats: 9 receptions, 125 yards, 2 TDs
While this game of David versus Goliath was a 72-17 bloodbath in Tennessee’s favor, Brazzell had one of the best games of his career. We can’t overlook his production simply because of the inferior opponent. His nine receptions set his career high, his 125 receiving yards was third highest in his college career, and his two touchdowns was one of just three multi-touchdown games. It would have been more impressive if he had done this against a ranked Power Four team, but the numbers are what they are.
No. 4 – Tulane at Florida Atlantic, 2023
Stats: 7 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD
Back in his 2023 sophomore season, Chris Brazzell had his breakout game as No. 24 Tulane beat Florida Atlantic to get to 10-1 on the season. It was his first 100-yard game and just the third touchdown of his college career. His seven receptions and 103 receiving yards were his single-game highs during this two years with the Green Wave. It was performances like this one that led Tennessee to come calling.
No. 3 – Tennessee at Mississippi State, 2025
Stats: 6 receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD
Context matters here. While Mississippi State was the dregs of the SEC a season ago, this game was something of a must-win for Tennessee. The Volunteers had already lost their first conference game to Georgia and simply couldn’t afford to lose to Mississippi State and fall to 0-2 in SEC play. Tennessee squeaked out a 41-34 overtime win to keep their season on track thanks in large part to Chris Brazzell’s six receptions for 105 yards and a score.
No. 2 – Tennessee at Kentucky, 2025
Stats: 4 receptions, 138 yards, 1 TD
Sure, Kentucky struggled last year, but this is still an SEC conference game. Brazzell scored Tennessee’s first touchdown of the game on a 35-yard strike from Joey Aguilar. The Volunteers never looked back, cruising to a 56-34 win. Brazzell also had a 50-yard reception in this one. His 138 yards were the second most of his college career while his 34.5 yards-per-reception average set his career high.
No. 1 – Tennessee vs. Georgia, 2025
Stats: 6 receptions, 177 yards, 3 TDs
Last year Chris Brazzell dominated the No. 6-ranked Georgia Bulldogs by turning in career highs with 177 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Tennessee ultimately lost the game 44-41 in overtime, but they wouldn’t have even reached the extra period without Brazzell’s career day. Two of his touchdowns went for 72 and 66 yards, respectively, as he put up highlight after highlight against one of the better defenses in the country.
