Mike Matthews Signs With Tennessee
Early national signing day is upon us, and the Tennessee Volunteers are hoping to finish strong. They've recruited at a high rate under head coach Josh Heupel and brought in some major difference-makers in their 2023 signing class. Volunteer Country will provide readers with an in-depth breakdown of each signee.
Wide receiver Mike Matthews is the seventeenth commit to turn in their national letter of intent. He is the No. 20 player in the cycle, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings. Take a look at what the Vols are getting.
Prospect: Mike Matthews
Projected Position: Z-receiver
Vitals: 6-1 and 185 lbs.
School: Parkview High School (Lilburn, Georgia)
Frame: Matthews has a lean, athletic build. His size isn't overwhelming, and he won't win with power at the college level, but he isn't going to be hamstrung by being a bit skinny. There's a path where he could add between 10-15 pounds of muscle, but he must commit to the weight room upon arriving at college.
Athleticism: His basketball traits are apparent when Matthews is forced into an athletic situation. Matthews seamlessly transitions in and out of his brakes with elite ankle flexion and hip dexterity. He is an impressive leaper that can high-point footballs over defenders, making him a viable red zone target.
Instincts: A winning football player that finds space as well as anyone in the country. He quickly relocates and helps his quarterback when the play breaks down and has an innate sense of where defenders are. Matthews also makes plays in tough scenarios - third and longs, two-minute drills, and end-of-game situations are where he shines.
Polish: A ready-made athlete from day one. Going to compete and understand concepts well. The major questions are how consistently he can run routes at a high level and whether he can ever develop into a go-to receiver or whether he will be an outstanding complementary option.
Bottom Line: This is an 800-yard SEC receiver at the absolute worst. The character and competitiveness suggest that he develops into more, but we need to see a bit more development before projecting that. His athleticism is that of an NFL first-round draft pick; it will just be a matter of how the other aspects come along.
2024 5-star WR Mike Matthews during his official visit to Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of Mike Matthews)
Tennessee's 2024 Recruiting Class - * denotes NLI turned in
- Jake Merklinger, QB *
- Peyton Lewis, RB *
- Mike Matthews, WR *
- Braylon Harmon, WR
- Braylon Staley, WR *
- Bennett Warren, OT *
- Jesse Perry, OT *
- Gage Ginther, OT
- William Satterwhite, OG *
- Max Anderson, OG *
- Kellen Lindstrom, DE *
- Carson Gentle, DE *
- Jeremias Heard, DL *
- Jordan Ross, EDGE *
- Edwin Spillman, ILB *
- Jordan Burns, ILB *
- Marcus Goree, CB *
- Kaleb Beasley, CB *
- Boo Carter, S *
- Edrees Farooq, S
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