Dave Canales details 'rare' skill set for Carolina's Chris Brazzell II

Former Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was selected by Carolina in the NFL draft second round (No. 83 overall).

He played for the Vols from 2024-25 after transferring from Tulane. In 25 games at Tennessee, Brazzell II totaled 91 receptions for 1,350 yards and 11 touchdowns.

After being drafted, Carolina head coach Dave Canales discussed the Panthers' 6-foot-4, 198-pound wide receiver.

"What impressed me about him is just when he talks about what he was working on, that's something that's really big for me, having a receiver coaching background," Canales said of Brazzell II. "When I can hear a guy talk about the different skills that they're working on, the drills they're doing. He's got a brother, and they're doing one-on-ones.

"He loves the game. He's about his craft, and you can see that on the field. You can see how compact and efficient he is with his footwork and different things, but what always impresses me when a guy has a plan for what they're trying to improve upon."

Chris Brazzell II. Tennessee Volunteers versus Georgia Bulldogs football at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Sept. 13, 2025.

At Tennessee, his longest reception was 72 yards against Georgia on Sept. 13, 2025. Brazzell II totaled 177 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns against the Bulldogs, while being named East-West Shrine Bowl Breakout Offensive Player of the Week after his performance.

"It's the ability to take those traits, but then also to play the ball in the air," . "One of the things that Chris showed is his ability to play the deep ball, land on his feet, and finish the play. That's something that's very rare, where a lot of times you'll see a guy high point a ball, lay out for it, and they end up on the ground. He's just got a special balance with how he finishes, which translates to that speed and that size."