For Westview transfer and Tennessee recruit Jakye Beard, the formula for becoming a great football player starts long before he ever steps onto a game field.

It starts in the weight room.

That was the biggest takeaway from Beard’s recent visit to Tennessee, where the Class of 2028 athlete got an up-close look at what the Volunteers have to offer. Beard, one of the top young wide receiver prospects in Tennessee, did not hesitate when asked what stood out most.

Jakye Beard Talks Tennessee Football's Weight Room

“The weight room,” Beard said. “It was perfect. If you know football, it starts in the weight room.”

That answer provides an early glimpse into the mentality that has helped Beard emerge as a highly regarded prospect. Listed as a 6-foot-3, 205-pound athlete with a reported 4.56-second 40-yard dash, Beard has the physical profile and versatility that college programs covet. He has also established himself as a player capable of making an impact on both sides of the football.

Now, after transferring from Henry County to Westview, Beard is entering another important chapter in his development.

Multiple recruiting outlets have reported that Beard finished as Tennessee’s No. 10 overall player in its rankings at the time of his transfer and identified him as a four-star athlete nationally. He joins a Westview program that went 14-0 during the 2025 season and reached the TSSAA Class 3A state championship game.

For Beard, however, the attention surrounding his recruitment is not about collecting offers or headlines. It is about finding the right place to continue developing his game.

Jakye Beard Details What He is Looking for In a College

“What I am looking for in a college program is a great coach and staff,” Beard said. “A great environment and of course who can get me to the next level.”

Tennessee checks several of those boxes.

The Volunteers are located in Beard’s home state, and the program’s history of developing players for the NFL is something that has not gone unnoticed.

“Tennessee is my home state and everyone knows about their history with football and draft picks,” Beard said. “It’s a great team and I am close to most coaches so it’s a school I am considering.”

That relationship with Tennessee's coaching staff could make the Volunteers a team worth watching closely as Beard's recruitment continues. Tennessee also offers a system that has developed a reputation for giving talented playmakers opportunities to make an impact.

Tennessee Checks the Boxes for Beard

For Beard, the fit is intriguing because he does not view himself as a player limited to one position.

It is an unmistakably confident statement from a young player who believes his versatility can separate him from the competition.

Beard Sees Himself as More Than a Receiver

Tennessee currently recruits Beard as an athlete, and that designation accurately reflects how he views his own game. While wide receiver may be his primary position, Beard has no intention of limiting himself to one side of the football.

“I can contribute wherever needed, but I, as an athlete, can play both sides of the ball at the next level,” Beard said.

That versatility is one of the most intriguing elements of Beard's recruitment. His athletic profile has already drawn attention from Power Four programs, including Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Maryland, and more.

But when Beard describes his game, he does not begin with statistics or recruiting rankings.

Jakye Beard Discusses How He Plays

He talks about how he plays.

“I will tell the fans that I am a hard-nosed player, seeking contact,” Beard said.

That combination could make Beard an especially interesting offensive weapon as he continues developing. His size gives him the ability to create matchup problems, while his speed and athleticism allow him to threaten defenses vertically. His willingness to embrace contact adds another element to his game.

Beard's athleticism is not limited to football, either. He also plays basketball, and surprise, surprise, he is pretty dynamic at it too.

There is also a Tennessee connection that makes Beard's interest in the Volunteers particularly fitting.

Jakye Beard Believes He Resembles a Tennessee Football Legend

When asked which current or former Tennessee player most resembles his playing style, Beard immediately pointed to one of the most recognizable receivers in recent Volunteers history.

Jauan Jennings.

“I think I resemble Jauan Jennings,” Beard said. “He was a great wideout with toughness and determination; he’s also from Tennessee like me.”

The comparison makes sense in one important respect: Beard wants to be viewed as more than simply a receiver who can run routes and catch passes. He wants to be known as a physical football player who can impact the game in multiple ways.

That mentality will follow Beard to Westview, where he will have the opportunity to continue developing alongside one of Tennessee high school football's strongest programs. Westview's 2025 team finished undefeated before falling to Alcoa in the state championship game, and the Chargers return a program that has established itself as a major force in Tennessee football.

For a young prospect with aspirations of playing at the highest level, the next two seasons will be about continued development, consistency and proving that the confidence he carries can translate against increasingly difficult competition.

Beard already knows what he wants from his college experience: a strong coaching staff, a great football environment, and a path to the next level.

A Prospect With Something to Prove

And while Tennessee remains one of the schools he is considering, his message is clear.

He believes his versatility can make him valuable anywhere.

“I am an athlete,” Beard said. “So that is what I do.” And, I agree. The young man wants to make an impact on the team. He is not locked in on a certain position, he just wants to help his team win.

For Tennessee and other programs evaluating the 2028 class, Beard is a prospect worth keeping an eye on. His combination of size, speed, physicality, and positional versatility gives him a unique foundation, while his confidence suggests he has no shortage of belief in where his game can ultimately take him.

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