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Wide receiver Mike Matthews not entering NCAA Transfer Portal, staying at Tennessee

On3 imageby: Brent Hubbs01/03/25Brent_Hubbs
WR Mike Matthews

Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews has officially ended his path to the NCAA Transfer Portal. Matthews completed all of the necessary requirements earlier this week and following the holiday on Wednesday, the Georgia native made the decision to not enter the portal on Friday morning and is ready to get to work for 2025.

Tennessee lost several scholarship receivers to the portal portal as Squirrel White, Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod, and Nathan Leacock all went in. Walk on Nate Spillman has also entered the portal. 

Tennessee is also losing two receivers in seniors Bru McCoy and Dont’e Thornton. 

Matthews is the most decorated receiver return as a former 5-star prospect from Georgia. He had 9 receptions for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns. His most productive day was against Vanderbilt who had 3 receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown. Matthews played in 11 games in 2024 and played 199 snaps as a receiver according to PFF. 

Matthews joins two other receivers in returning to Tennessee for the 2025 season. Chris Brazzell returns as the most experienced wide out. Brazzell had 29 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns in his first season as a Vol. Brazzell transferred form Tulane to Tennessee last January. 

Braylon Staley is the only other returning scholarship receiver. The South Carolina native redshirted in 2024. Staley played in four games recording 3 catches for 21 yards. He had two receptions for 11 yards in the Vols loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff. 

Tennessee has welcomed three signees in Georgia native Travis Smith, Radarius Jackson, and Joakim Dodson.

Tennessee will continue to explore the portal over the next several weeks to improve the wide receiver room under Kelsey Pope.

Transfer official visits will resume around the country as the dead period ends.

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