After the early signing period had finally settled, ESPN identified the key player for every team in the top 25 rankings.
Additionally, they selected a Tennessee Vols offensive player.
Mike Matthews, a five-star wide receiver, was selected by ESPN as Tennessee’s key 2024 recruit.
ESPN: Wide receiver Mike Matthews (ESPN 300, No. 10) is the most significant recruit. With his assistance in the pass rush, defensive end Jordan Ross might be the choice here, but Josh Heupel places a premium on the passing game, and Matthews is a five-star receiver. Georgia native Matthews, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound receiver, is rated as the class’s No. 4 pass-catcher. It will be crucial to have Matthews step in for senior receiver Ramel Keyton, who led the team in receiving touchdowns this season.
The No. 5 wide receiver in the country according to 247Sports’ composite rankings is Matthews, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound native of Lilburn, Georgia.
The amount of quality Tennessee signed in this class is evident from the fact that the Vols had other possibilities that could have been included here (the Vols added some elite talent even if their class wasn’t ranked among the top five in the country).
ESPN may have also included four-star athlete Boo Carter and five-star edge rusher Jordan Ross, who will start on the defensive end of the field.
When they join the Vols as true freshmen in the fall, Matthews, Ross, and Carter all have the potential to be important players.