‘He wanted more snaps’ – Vols coach explains why one Tennessee football player was ‘frustrated’ last season
As a true freshman in 2024, Tennessee Vols wide receiver Mike Matthews saw fewer snaps than he wanted. And it frustrated him. Matthews received 199 snaps last season, which was sixth on the team among wide receivers, behind Bru McCoy (597), Chris Brazzell (555), Squirrel White (432), Dont’e Thornton (347), and Chas Nimrod (237). Vols […]
As a true freshman in 2024, Tennessee Vols wide receiver Mike Matthews saw fewer snaps than he wanted.
And it frustrated him.
Matthews received 199 snaps last season, which was sixth on the team among wide receivers, behind Bru McCoy (597), Chris Brazzell (555), Squirrel White (432), Dont’e Thornton (347), and Chas Nimrod (237).
Vols wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope told reporters on Thursday that Matthews was frustrated by the number of snaps he received last season. Pope, however, also pointed out that Matthews has matured this offseason in his approach.
“I think for him, as a freshman, he was frustrated a lot last year,” said Pope. “We’ve talked. He wanted more snaps, but he also understands that he’s got to be able to handle that capacity. And what he’s shown this offseason is not only the conditioning to handle it, but the maturity.
“When success happens, he’s still got the same day one mentality and motivation to prove it. And when reps don’t go as well, he’s not down on himself; he’s not losing confidence. So, I think that maturity paired with his physical conditioning, I think he’s proven to us as coaches that he can be able to handle all those spots (at wide receiver), and that’s why he’ll be there.”
“It was real frustrating, but I know God has a plan for me,” said Matthews on Thursday when asked about last season. “So I just kind of go with the battle, I know there’s always going to be adversity with everything we do in life.”
Matthews flirted with the NCAA transfer portal this past offseason, but he ultimately decided to return to Tennessee for his sophomore season.
Snaps shouldn’t be a problem for Matthews in 2025 since he’s expected to be one of Tennessee’s top options in the passing game. The opportunity will be there for the former five-star recruit to thrive in Josh Heupel’s up-tempo offense.
Matthews’ true freshman season didn’t go like he hoped, but that’s in the past now. The Georgia native just needs to focus on winning each day — a rep at a time — and he should put himself in a position to make a significant impact for the Volunteers this fall.
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