Charges Dropped Against Vols Receiver Following Traffic Arrest

Image: Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell is no longer facing legal trouble after charges resulting from a recent traffic stop earlier this month were officially dismissed, as first reported by Knox News Adam Sparks.

The redshirt junior Brazzell was arrested on Aug. 8 in downtown Knoxville after being caught driving 60 mph in a 35 mph zone near campus. During the stop, police said Brazzell provided the deputy with a passport, saying he didn’t have his driver’s license with him at the time, according to the police report obtained by Knox News. 

Motor vehicle records indicated to the deputy that Brazzell’s driver’s license had been suspended due to failure to appear in court in Blount County on August 15, 2024, nearly a year prior. 

That missed court date originated from a late June 2024 traffic stop, in which Brazzell was charged with failing to carry insurance on his vehicle.

According to court records, Brazzell later provided proof of insurance on Aug. 11 while also paying necessary court costs, which led to the dismissal of the charges by Blount and Knox counties and restoring Brazzell’s driving status. 

Brazzell, a Tulane transfer, is entering his second season with the Volunteers and is expected to be one a top pass-catcher for newly appointed quarterback Joey Aguilar. 

Despite the arrest on Aug. 8, Brazzell returned back to practice Aug. 11, just three days after the incident. 

“Chris has been with us here the last few days,” Heupel told reporters Tuesday after being questioned on Brazzell’s status, but gave very little details. 

The Vols kick off the 2025 season Aug. 30 against Syracuse at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. With only seven scholarship wide receivers on the UT roster and eight new starters on the offense including Aguilar, Brazzell’s presence on the field will be crucial for an offense looking to establish chemistry.