Tag: Mike Matthews

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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High school football watchlist: Top 10 wide receivers in class of 2024

Today let’s take a look at the top 10 wide receivers in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

The quarterback may be king, but wide receivers are the next-most important position in the modern pass-happy game. Today let’s take a look at the top 10 wide receivers in the 2024 recruiting cycle. At the top of the list, there’s Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) five-star receiver Jeremiah Smith, who’s committed to Ohio State but has several other programs still trying to flip him. One of Smith’s high school teammates also made the top 10 – as did another Buckeyes commit.

Here are our composite top 10 receivers in this class. To get the rankings, we averaged the nationals for each prospect at Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports.

Recruiting Roundup: Mike Matthews and top stories from the College Wire network

Mike Matthews and the other top stories from the College Wire network on the recruiting front for this week.

One of the biggest bombs of the week in the college football recruiting landscape involved the Tennessee Volunteers. Head coach Josh Heupel quickly made fans forget all about the recent NCAA ruling for the Vols. On Wednesday, five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews committed to playing ball in Knoxville.

The Clemson Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, and USC Trojans all whiffed on the 6-foot-1, 180-pound prospect out of the Peach State. Matthews could be the next top receiver to play for the Vols if he lives up to the hype of his ranking. Matthews is rated as the No. 8 wideout and No. 22 player in the country.

Of the five-star wide receivers in the 2024 class, now only Ryan Wingo (Saint Louis, Missouri) and Micah Hudson (Lake Belton, Texas) remain uncommitted. They are projected to pledge to Texas and Texas Tech respectively.

With that being said, College Sports Wire checks in on the rest of the network for the top stories this week.

Watch: 5-star WR Mike Matthews announces commitment to Tennessee

32 other programs made Matthews offers

Tennessee got a massive recruiting win on Wednesday when Parkview (Ga.) five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews announced his commitment to the Volunteers. Watch.

Going by the 247Sports composite rankings, Matthews (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) is the fourth-best receiver in his class, third-best overall in Georgia and No. 13 nationally.

Matthews plays more than wide receiver, though. He’s a genuine two-way contributor, totaling 48 catches, 1,031 yards, 10 touchdowns, 23 tackles and two interceptions last season.

Thirty-two other programs made Matthews offers, including contenders at Clemson, Georgia and USC. Tennessee’s class of 2024 now ranks No. 15 in the nation.

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