Mike Matthews transfer portal: 4 likely destinations for Tennessee WR transfer
Even teams that reach the College Football Playoffs face problems with the transfer portal. The Tennessee Vols are facing such a situation as former top recruit Mike Matthews might be planning to enter the portal. Matthews was among the top 50 players in the nation at the high school level, and 247sports rated him as a promising four-star recruit. He confirmed that he's in the thinking stage through a collaborative Instagram post with Hayes Fawcett:
Matthews did struggle to find playing time as a true freshman, catching seven passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Come the next season, Tennessee's returning receiver room is likely to be crowded. Hence, Matthews is planning to take his skills to the open market, where a playmaker with three years of remaining eligibility generally draws plenty of attention. Here are four potential destinations if he goes through with his plan to enter the portal.
Mike Matthews Transfer Portal: 4 potential landing spots
4. Georgia Tech
Matthews is from Georgia, and Tech made some definite waves in college football in 2024. Top receiver Eric Singleton Jr. has elected for the portal himself, so there's some opportunity to make a splash. The benefit for Matthews is the likelihood of immediate playing time at a school closer to home. While Tech might not be as glamorous as some programs, they're definitely a school on the uptick.
3. Clemson
Yes, even Dabo Swinney, who once regarded the transfer portal as a door to traditional societal darkness, uses the portal. Top Clemson receiver Antonio Williams is weighing the jump to the NFL Draft and Junior Troy Stellato is already in the portal. Clemson could use help, and Matthews would be a great aid to their young corps of wide receivers. Clemson also recruited Matthews heavily out of high school.
2. USC
The Trojans need help across the board. After a 7-6 season with questions about coach Lincoln Riley's future, the portal has been brutal for the Trojans as three of their top five receivers entered. USC recruited Matthews extensively out of high school, even getting one of his official visits. If his goal is a cleaner shot at immediate playing time, USC could make massive sense for Matthews.
1. Georgia
There's no place like home, and with Georgia poised for another deep run in the College Football Playoff, Matthews might decide to swap SEC horses for one of college football's most prominent power players. Georgia's top two receivers this year were seniors, and the receiver room as a whole has been fairly disappointing. If Matthews wants to battle out the depth chart, he could be the guy.
Georgia also recruited Matthews out of high school, getting one of his four official visits. If he has to work his way into more playing time, he might as well do it at arguably the most dominant team in the nation.
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