‘Dynamic’ Tyreek King working to find role as a freshman for Tennessee

There’s been lots of receiver talk so far this week, but we can’t forget about Tyreek King. The Knoxville product and former 4-star prospect got his first taste of college football on Wednesday as Tennessee officially opened fall camp. King was not able to enroll early, so he’s drinking from a firehose right this second. By all accounts today, he looked the part athletically on the field with his new team.

King finished last year’s recruiting cycle ranked 131st overall, per 247Sports. The Knoxville Catholic alum will now try to carve out a role as a true freshman. But first, it’s simply adjusting to the talent level that’s now around him and diving into the playbook.

“Tyreek – typically guys that show up in summer, not the beginning of January enrollee, they’re a little bit outside their element day one when you get on the practice field,” Josh Heupel said on Wednesday. “I thought today, he handled himself extremely well. He’s worked extremely hard physically, adding mass size.”

King, just like many Tennessee players, added 14 pounds of muscle over the summer months. Now listed at 5-11, 178 pounds, King is a natural fit behind Braylon Staley as depth in the slot.

“He’s extremely explosive, dynamic with the ball in his hands, working some punt return stuff, a skill set there as well,” Heupel continued. “Holistically understanding our offense and being able to function and operate in it, really pleased with what he’s done, being a guy that came in in May and June, he’s got to continue to progress, but we all have to keep getting better too.”

King likely has a tough road ahead to find the field offensively unless injuries strike. However, he’s a natural punt returner as Heupel mentioned, and seems to have a real passion for the that role. This is where he could make an instant impact for Tennessee this fall.

King is coming off of three straight 1,000 yard seasons for Knoxville Catholic. He’s an obvious future prospect for the Volunteers, and Kelsey Pope is likely grooming him to take over once Staley moves on down the road at some point.