'He’s the one we’re going to count on' – Vols coach sends strong message to key Tennessee player
The Tennessee Vols aren't pulling back on expectations in 2025 for sophomore wide receiver Mike Matthews. After convincing Matthews to pass on the NCAA transfer portal and return to Rocky Top for the 2025 season, the program is making it clear that they're counting on the former five-star recruit to deliver in a big way […]
The Tennessee Vols aren't pulling back on expectations in 2025 for sophomore wide receiver Mike Matthews.
After convincing Matthews to pass on the NCAA transfer portal and return to Rocky Top for the 2025 season, the program is making it clear that they're counting on the former five-star recruit to deliver in a big way this fall.
Vols wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope told reporters on Wednesday that Matthews is "the one we’re going to expect a lot from".
“He’s took a jump in just his day-to-day process," said Pope when asked about Matthews' progress during spring practice. "He comes to work with a mentality every day to want to get better. I think there’s still a ways to go in the consistency area. I think that happens naturally as a young player, with him being in the second year in this offense.
"But what I have seen and what I have enjoyed, is the way he competes every single snap — which is a jump from what he was as a true freshman. He’s the one we’re going to count on. He’s the one we’re going to expect a lot from. And he’s one that’s going to meet the standard every single day. He’s done that for the most part this spring.”
Matthews saw limited action as a true freshman for the Vols, catching just seven passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.
The Georgia native, however, will be asked to be a go-to receiver for redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava in 2025. And based on the way that Pope mentioned that Matthews "competes on every snap", it sounds like that's an expectation that the extremely talented wide receiver is embracing.
For the Vols to reach their potential in 2025 and make some noise in the postseason, they'll need Matthews to live up to the hype and be an elite playmaker on game days.
