Tag: Mike Matthews

Update on Mike Matthews with Tennessee football

Update on Tennessee freshman wide receiver Mike Matthews after the 2024 football season.

Mike Matthews’ freshman season came to an end at Tennessee on Dec. 21 when the Vols lost at Ohio State in the College Football Playoff first round.

The 6-foot-1, 197-pound wide receiver was planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Dec. 29, 2024, according to On3.

On Friday, On3 provided an update on Matthews.

“Tennessee 5-star true freshman WR Mike Matthews plans to stay with the Volunteers, Austin Price reports,” On3 announced on X.

Matthews appeared in 11 games for the Vols in 2024.

He recorded seven receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns, while totaling 32 kick return yards.

Matthews totaled a season-high for receiving yards (35) against Kent State. His longest reception in 2024 was 25 yards versus UTEP.

PHOTOS: Tennessee’s win versus UTEP in 2024

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee freshman wide receiver plans to enter NCAA transfer portal

A sixth Tennessee wide receiver intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal following the 2024 season.

Mike Matthews completed his freshman season at Tennessee in 2024. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound wide receiver appeared in 11 games for the Vols.

Matthews plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3.

He recorded seven receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns, while totaling 32 kick return yards.

Matthews totaled a season-high for receiving yards (35) against Kent State. His longest reception in 2024 was 25 yards versus UTEP.

Matthews is the sixth Tennessee wide receiver with intentions to enter the NCAA transfer portal following the College Football Playoff.

Tennessee wide receivers Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod, Nathan Leacock, Nate Spillman and Squirrel White also entered the NCAA transfer portal following the regular season.

The Vols finished the 2024 football season with a 10-3 (6-2 SEC) record.

Mike Matthews. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Mike Matthews’ role detailed for Vols ahead of College Football Playoff

Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle discusses Mike Matthews’ role ahead of the College Football Playoff.

Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews appeared in 10 games during his freshman regular season in 2024.

The 6-foot-1, 197-pound freshman totaled seven receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded 32 yards on one kick return.

Tennessee will next play in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Ohio State on Saturday (8 p.m. EST, ABC).

Ahead of Saturday’s matchup, Tennessee offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle met with media. He discussed if Matthews can contribute during the College Football Playoff.

“We fully intend on Mike being a big part of everything we’re doing,” Halzle said. “It’s the same thing now. If this goes the way you want it to go, you’ve got four games left. You’ve got a quarter of a season left to play right here. All those guys that are here and going, we expect them to play at high level. We feel comfortable throwing anybody out there. Our guys are prepared and ready to play, and they’re dang good players. Anybody that’s called upon, we expect that they go out and they play at a high level. We expect to see that here every week.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Ohio State football series through the years

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Mike Matthews building into larger role with five games remaining

Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel discusses freshman wide receiver Mike Matthews having a larger role with five games remaining.

Freshman wide receiver Mike Matthews has appeared in five of Tennessee’s seven contests this season. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound freshman did not play against Chattanooga in Week 1 and versus North Carolina State in Week 2.

Mathews has recorded two receptions for 35 yards and one touchdown, while also returning one kickoff for 32 yards this season. All of his statistics were against Kent State in Week 3.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel met with media on Monday to kickoff game week for the Vols in preparation for hosting Kentucky (7:45 p.m. EDT, SEC Network).

Heupel discussed Matthews building into a larger role with five games remaining in the regular-season.

“Mike has gotten some opportunities,” Heupel said. “I feel like there is a greater opportunity for execution at times when he is out there. Some of that is the guys around him, some of that is him too. We need him to continue to come on and be a big part of what we are doing here on the back half of this conference season.”

READ: 2024 SEC football power rankings after Week 9

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Early enrollee freshman wide receiver Mike Matthews discusses Vols’ spring practices

Early enrollee freshman wide receiver Mike Matthews discusses Tennessee’s spring practices.

Tennessee kicked off spring practices on Monday at Anderson Training Center.

The Vols will conclude spring practices with its annual Orange & White Game on April 13 at Neyland Stadium.

The 2024 Orange & White Game will be held with limited capacity. Approximately 10,000 fans will be in attendance due to construction. The Orange & White Game will air live on SEC Network+ and across all Vol Network radio affiliates.

Big screens will be stationed in Lot 9 and the amphitheater outside Gate 21 for fans to watch the Orange & White Game live, as well as the Vols’ baseball game versus LSU.

PHOTOS: Tennessee kicks off 2024 spring football practices

Early enrollee freshman wide receiver Mike Matthews is taking part in Tennessee’s spring practices.

Matthews met with media following the Vols’ third spring practice. His media availability can be watched below.

Mike Matthews earns Polynesian Bowl offensive MVP honors

Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews earns Polynesian Bowl offensive MVP honors.

Tennessee freshman wide receiver Mike Matthews competed in the Polynesian Bowl on Friday.

Makai defeated Mauka, 28-17, at Kunuiakea Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Matthews recorded two receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown. He earned offensive MVP honors.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver signed with the Vols on Dec. 20, 2023 during the early signing period. He is part of the Vols’ 2024 signing class.

Matthews is from Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia.

The Polynesian Bowl is contested with top high school players, while celebrating culture. The game is held annually during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week.

PHOTOS: A look at Tennessee’s Wide Receiver U through the years

How to watch Tennessee signees in 2024 Polynesian Bowl

How to watch Tennessee signees in the 2024 Polynesian Bowl on Friday.

The Polynesian Bowl will take place Friday at Kunuiakea Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Kickoff is slated for 9 p.m. EST and will be televised by NFL Network.

The Polynesian Bowl is contested with top high school players, while celebrating culture. The game is held annually during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week.

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame class of 2024 consists of Dwayne Johnson, Reno Mahe and Domata Peko.

Inductees were selected from a field of over 100 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, including inductee Jack Thompson, coach Dick Vermeil, coach Ron McBride, inductees Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae, Ray Schoenke, broadcaster Neil Everett and NFL Network’s Steve Wyche. All living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame inductees also vote.

Below are Tennessee signees competing in the 2024 Polynesian Bowl. All players signed with the Vols during the early signing period.

Early signing period: Mike Matthews signs with Tennessee football

Early signing period: Mike Matthews signs with Tennessee football

The 2023 early signing period is taking place Wednesday-Friday for Tennessee’s 2024 recruiting signing class.

The 2023 early signing period is Josh Heupel’s third as Tennessee’s head coach. He was hired as the Vols’ head coach in Jan. 2021.

Tennessee’s 2023 recruiting class ranked No. 10 nationally (247Sports Composite). The Vols’ first recruiting class under Heupel in 2022 ranked No. 17 nationally (247Sports Composite).

Mike Matthews signed with the Vols on Wednesday during the early signing period.

Mike Matthews’ recruiting bio:

  • Position: Wide receiver
  • Height: 6-foot-1
  • Weight: 180 pounds
  • School: Parkview High School (Lilburn, Georgia)

READ: Tennessee football early signing period tracker for 2024 class

READ: Tennessee football NCAA transfer portal tracker

Updated 2024 football recruiting rankings for Vols’ commits

A look at updated 2024 recruiting rankings for top 300 Tennessee commits.

Updated 2024 Rivals250 rankings were released for top 250 prospects.

After Rivals’ update, Tennessee commitment rankings changed for On3 industry rankings. On3 industry rankings are based on a weighted average between four recruiting media outlets.

Tennessee has 19 commitments in its 2024 recruiting class: Cornerback Kaleb Beasley, defensive lineman Carson Gentle, athlete Marcus Goree Jr., athlete Jonathan Echols, quarterback Jake Merklinger, offensive tackle Jesse Perry, offensive tackle Gage Ginther and safety Edrees Farooq, defensive lineman Jeremias Heard, edge rusher Kellen Lindstrom and running back Peyton Lewis, athlete Boo Carter and linebacker Jordan Burns and offensive lineman Max Anderson, wide receiver Braylon Staley, offensive lineman William Satterwhite and wide receiver Mike Matthews and linebacker Edwin Spillman and offensive lineman Bennett Warren.

Tennessee’s 2024 class ranks No. 8 nationally and No. 5 in the Southeastern Conference after updated On3 industry rankings.

Vols Wire looks at updated 2024 rankings for the top 300 Tennessee commits and are listed below.

Multiple Vols’ commits named preseason All-Americans

Three Vols’ commits named preseason MaxPreps All-Americans.

MaxPreps announced a 2023 Preseason All-America Team on Aug. 7, consisting of 54 players from 39 different high schools.

Five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews and four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley were first-team selections. Four-star linebacker Edwin Spillman earned second-team recognition.

Matthews committed to the Vols on July 19. He finished his junior season with 48 receptions, 1,031 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns.

Beasley was named 2022 Defensive Player of the Year by the Tennessean. He recorded 30 tackles, 27 pass breakups, nine interceptions and six defensive touchdowns.

Spillman earned MaxPreps Junior All-American honors last season. He recorded 101 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and six pass breakups. Spillman committed to Tennessee on July 21.

Tennessee’s 2024 class ranks No. 8 nationally and No. 5 in the Southeastern Conference.

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