Spring Prospects: Mike Matthews
Parkview wide receiver Mike Matthews is appointment viewing for anyone on the Georgia recruiting trail this summer. The five-star prospect has been dominating Power-5 competition on both sides of the ball for years and is beginning to enter the final stages of his recruitment.
Despite having translatable safety skills, Matthews has committed to becoming a wide receiver in college. Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope is handling his recruitment alongside head coach Josh Heupel, and the Vols are placing a premium on him. Georgia and Clemson are atop this recruitment jockeying for position, with the Vols standing on deck.
Matthews is an SEC-level athlete that needs some refinement before entering college. He's a major basketball player with tons of short-area quickness and explosive traits, but he's still learning the intricacies of playing the position. He has some questions to answer before garnering immediate playing time in college, but there's a path for him to become a quick major contributor.
Prospect: Mike Matthews
Favorites: Georgia, Clemson, Tennessee, USC
Projected Position: Z-receiver
Vitals: 6-3 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.
Questions I Have: What does Matthew's frame look like in person? How long are his arms in relation to other defenders? Can he separate consistently? What is he converting from pre-snap to post-snap?
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