Everyone who cares about Tennessee Volunteer football were pleasantly surprised on the morning of Friday, January 3. Mike Matthews announced he would be withdrawing his name from the Transfer Portal and returning to the Tennessee Volunteers. Matthews, a former five-star recruit, was expected to be the #1 guy for the Vols in 2025, but originally decided to request the necessary papers for the transfer portal after the 2024 season.
NEW: Tennessee 5-star true freshman WR Mike Matthews plans to stay with the Volunteers, @AustinPriceless reports🍊https://t.co/havOF6ypPU pic.twitter.com/116v1YLUZf
— On3 (@On3sports) January 3, 2025
Mike Matthews is Back
This was a big surprise to many, and there are several different speculative reasons out there as to why Matthews felt it necessary to request transfer papers. However, the only thing that is for sure: Mike Matthews will be a Tennessee Volunteer in 2025.
The return of Mike Matthews puts the Vols’ wide receiver room in a completely different spot. When it was believed Matthews was leaving, Tennessee only had two active receivers on the roster, not including three incoming freshmen.
Nobody had any idea what was going to happen with the Vols’ receiving room, or if Matthews leaving would cause a mass-exodus on offense. Luckily, any and all of this was avoided.
However, the Vols’ wide receiver room is not magically fixed with the return of Matthews. Yes, it puts the group in a far better place, but they are still severely lacking in depth, or proven playmakers. Josh Heupel and co. know this, and have been in contact with several players who could make an impact on this team.
Potential Portal Targets
Malik Benson, former Alabama and Florida State wide receiver, is scheduled to be in Knoxville on a visit very soon. Benson caught 25 passes for 311 yards and 1 touchdown in 2024 for an extremely subpar Florida State team. Benson’s stats aren’t elite, but he is a serious home run threat, something the Vols needed more of in 2024.
Another guy the staff is looking to target is a former Tennessee Baseball commit. Amari Jefferson, from Chattanooga, TN was committed to Tennessee for baseball until August of 2023. Jefferson committed to Alabama for football, but had a lackluster freshman year.
Following the end of their season, Jefferson entered the portal and was almost immediately crystal balled to Tennessee. He is likely going to be a two-sport athlete at Tennessee, but he is a former four-star receiver and could bring some needed juice to the Vols receiver group.
BREAKING: Alabama wide receiver transfer Amari Jefferson has been predicted to transfer to Tennessee from Steve Wiltfong Pete Nakos at On3 Sports
The former Vol Baseball commit was heavily pursued by the Vols but ultimately chose Alabama
COME HOME, @AmariJefferson6 🍊 pic.twitter.com/08GLVGlyXs
— Vol Scoops (@VolScoops) January 2, 2025
The last big name that has been linked to the Vols so far is former USC wide receiver, Zachariah Branch. In the 2024 season, Branch had 45 receptions for 503 yards and 1 touchdown. Compared to Tennessee’s wide receivers from the 2024 season, Branch would have easily been the 2nd most productive wide receiver for the Vols, if not better.
His elite combination of speed, control, and natural talent are exactly what Josh Heupel and the Vols have been missing. Branch also has a history with current Vols quarterback, Nico Iamaleava.
When the two were seniors in high school, they were both selected to participate in the Polynesian Bowl. Most notably from that game, Iamaleava connected with Branch on a 34-yard touchdown that fully displayed what this duo could do together in Knoxville.
Tennessee 5⭐️ QB enrollee Nico Iamaleava finds USC Five-Star Plus+ WR enrollee Zachariah Branch for the long touchdown @polynesiabowl!
🎥: @Scott_Schrader https://t.co/sVOYb9C3J6https://t.co/lY2Dd6SR2opic.twitter.com/DCBm9rdJ7D
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) January 21, 2023
Regardless of who transfers in or out, the Vols will have their wide receiver room set by the time the 2025 season rolls around. With the news of Matthews returning, the Vols’ receiving room can only get better from here on out.
Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews should both see increased rolls next season, and there are three very talented freshmen coming in who could all make an impact in their own unique ways.
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