Impact Analysis: What Does Mike Matthews Bring To Tennessee?

2024 five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews (Lilburn, Ga.) committed to the Tennessee Volunteers on Wednesday. What does he bring to Knoxville, Tennessee?

On March 21, 2022, Tennessee stunned the recruiting world. All-world quarterback Nico Iamaleava committed to the Vols over Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, and several other recruiting juggernauts. It was one of the first signs that head coach Josh Heupel would make a major imprint during his tenure at Tennessee. Fast forward to the end of that calendar year, and the Vols won 11 games and the Orange Bowl while reaching No. 1 status for the first time in the CFP era.

That on-field success has led to another exciting recruiting win. Entering Wednesday, the Vols didn't have one consensus top-100 prospect committed in the 2024 class. That all changed when five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews chose Tennessee over Clemson, Georgia, and Alabama, confirming the weeks-long speculation that the Vols were in the driver's seat. He brings a lot to Knoxville, Tennessee, and is a player that fans should be very excited about. We went to the tape and evaluated what they are getting in Matthews.

2024 WR Mike Matthews during his official visit to Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, on June 23, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Mike Matthews)

Prospect: Mike Matthews

Projected Position: Wide Receiver

Vitals: 6-1 and 180 pounds

School: Parkview High School (Lilburn, Georgia)

Frame: Physically progressed throughout all three years in high school. Listed at 180 pounds and matches that on tape. If he continues to maintain his current pace, Matthews will leave college at around 195-200 pounds, the perfect weight for his size. Carries a good deal of length in his legs and arms, measuring in with a 6'6" wingspan. Has big hands that allow him to spear the ball at the catch point.

Athleticism: Super high-level athlete with Power-5 basketball offers. He does a nice job of quickly sinking his hips and flipping direction, getting out of his brake and working back to the football. The top-end speed is electric, as he clocked a 4.48 40-yard dash while camping in Atlanta, Georgia. He routinely beats defensive backs over the top but will make his mark with the football in his hands. Matthews has really strong ankle flexion that allows him to cut upfield and make abrupt stops that throw defenders off.

Instincts: Has a knack for tracking the football. Matthews will work through his route and turn around to find the football immediately. It allows him to fully extend for the catch and get a better read of where it will land than the defensive back covering him. Also understands open-field space and that if he moves one place, everyone else on the field shifts. Gets through tight lanes of traffic by redirecting and working everyone toward the sideline before breaking back inside.

Polish: Few athletes will walk into the college more equipped to do their job than Matthews will. He looks like he was born to walk into a college wide receiver room and compete for snaps from day one. The hands, athleticism, and size are SEC-ready, and if he can get his route-tree up to speed in time for the 2024 season, there's no reason to think we won't see him on the field during his true freshman season.

Bottom Line: A high-floor player that also has a high ceiling. It's hard to imagine Matthews not working out in college - he can play the X, Z, or slot, and he's said that Tennessee plans to employ him at various spots when he arrives in college. Matthews has a strong work ethic and is committed to maximizing his gifts, and there are plenty. In my opinion, he's an 800-yard player at minimum for Tennessee with the chance to become even more.

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