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Mike Matthews considered entering the transfer portal this offseason, but the Tennessee football player seemed to breathe a sigh of relief on Tuesday when recalling his decision to stay.
“It was definitely stressful because that one moment can make a lot (of difference) in terms of your future,” the wide receiver said during his first media appearance of spring practice.
“I backed away from everything and talked to my family a lot. That was the best thing I could do. But it was definitely tough just thinking about doing that. My family and the coaching staff and all my teammates helped me make my decision (to stay at Tennessee).”
Matthews, a former five-star recruit, made seven receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman last season. He wanted to play more, so he considered his options.
On Dec. 28, Matthews decided to explore the possibility of entering the transfer portal. That was the deadline to request paperwork to enter the portal, but he never appeared in the database. By Jan. 3, he made it clear that he was staying with the Vols.
On Tuesday, Matthews didn’t say how close he came to leaving. But things were definitely tense for UT fans during those six days of uncertainty.
Aside from his brief explanation about that time, it seems like a distant memory. Matthews admits his shortcomings from his freshman season, and he’s eager to become a prime target for quarterback Nico Iamaleava in 2025.
“(My route-running) wasn’t to the standard of Tennessee,” Matthews said of his freshman season. “But I want (Iamaleava) to perceive me as a guy that he knows he can go to. In any situation, I want him to think that he’s got someone out there that thinks like him and can make plays.”
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Source link : https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2025/03/25/mike-matthews-tennessee-football-transfer-portal-wide-receiver/82633194007/
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Publish date : 2025-03-25 18:01:00
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