5-star USC football target predicted to pick Tennessee Volunteers

Wide receiver Mike Matthews, who attends Parkview High School in Lilburn, Ga., is the No. 24 ranked recruit in the 2024 class, according to On3

Class of 2024 five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews hasn't even taken an official visit yet. But that didn't stop one recruiting insider from predicting his college home.

On3.com's Josh Newberg spoke with Matthews earlier this week and dropped a recruiting prediction in favor of Tennessee following the conversation. 

Matthews, who attends Parkview High School in Lilburn, Ga., is the No. 24 ranked recruit in the 2024 class, according to On3. He's the No. 5 rated receiver. 247Sports.com ranks Matthews as a five-star prospect.

Matthews has four official visits planned for June, per 247Sports. He'll visit Clemson this weekend and then Georgia, USC and Tennessee in the weeks that follow. 

Here's 247Sports.com's scouting report on the 6-foot-1, 180-pound pass catcher. 

A talented two-way athlete that some colleges view as a wide receiver long-term while others think he’s a future all-conference safety. Followed breakout sophomore season up with a monster junior campaign on offense as he averaged 21.5 yards per catch, totaling 1,030 yards and nine touchdowns through the air in the Peach State’s highest-classification. At one point reported a basketball offer from Mississippi State, and it’s pretty easy to see why as he’s extremely coordinated in almost everything he does and is always putting himself in position to make a play. Long-speed at point was a bit of a question mark, but tested exceptionally well spring before 12th grade year, clocking one of the fastest 40-yard dash times at a loaded camp outside of Atlanta. Tape also backs up the number as he’s constantly pulling away from defenders and creating separation on deeper routes. On the other side of the ball, has flashed the ability to quickly close gaps and get to the catch point while playing more of a center-field role. Must eventually pick a position, but should be viewed as one of the top overall talents in the 2024 cycle given how he moves out on the perimeter. NFL upside if he can keep progressing.