Recruiting analyst compares 2 of Tennessee's 2024 signees to 2 NFL stars
247Sports' Andrew Ivins thinks a couple of the Tennessee Vols' 2024 signees compare favorably to two talented current NFL players. While discussing Tennessee's 2024 signing class on 247Sports' live recruiting show on Wednesday, Ivins singled out five-star edge rusher Jordan Ross and five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews as two of the Vols' signees that could […]
247Sports' Andrew Ivins thinks a couple of the Tennessee Vols' 2024 signees compare favorably to two talented current NFL players.
While discussing Tennessee's 2024 signing class on 247Sports' live recruiting show on Wednesday, Ivins singled out five-star edge rusher Jordan Ross and five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews as two of the Vols' signees that could have incredibly bright futures on Rocky Top.
"Jordan Ross, the edge rusher, I think he's kind of the headliner," said Ivins. "Sometimes you don't like doing these player comps because it's hard to find a guy — to me, he reminds us of Brian Burns, the former Florida State defensive lineman/edge rusher/linebacker, whatever you want to classify him as, he's now in the NFL. This guy (Ross) can get after the quarterback. We ranked him super high — it's always a projection, but we were really projecting here. What was he going to look like as a senior? [He] checked some boxes in that department. [He's] twitchy, he's got the length."
"And for me, I think that's where Tennessee needs to get better — the pass rush, on the defensive side of the ball," added Ivins. "That's going to keep them in games…they have to get some stops at some point. The best way to do it is to apply pressure to the quarterback. I think Jordan Ross is a guy that can do that. So I'm fired up about him for Tennessee."
Andrew Ivins is also high on Tennessee Vols signee Mike Matthews
"Go look up Rashee Rice's highlights from his days at SMU and then look up Mike Matthews' highlights from his senior season at Parkview High School," said Ivins. "Both of these guys are uber competitive at the catch point. They pluck the football out of the air. And I think the basketball background is the reason why they're able to do it. Rashee Rice (currently the Kansas City Chiefs' top WR) played basketball in high school. Mike Matthews, prolific basketball player, offered by Mississippi State's hoops program as a freshman. Someone that was on my freaks list. There's something about Mike — and everyone on the scouting team brings this up — you know, you watch the tape, you're like, 'are we really this high on him?" And then you come away from it thinking this is one of the top receivers in the class."
"I think he makes a ton of sense at Tennessee," added Ivins. "He can play in an up-tempo attack. He can make the catches — they're getting a good one."
Burns is a two-time Pro Bowler and Rice is emerging as Patrick Mahomes' favorite wide receiver target in Kansas City. These are the types of players that Vols need to sign to compete for national championships. They need players that can be difference makers at the next level. And it sounds like Tennessee landed a few of those guys during this recruiting cycle.
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