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Tennessee football a finalist for elite 2023 Louisiana DB Jordan Matthews

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s no secret Tennessee football could use as much help in the secondary as possible going forward given how things shaped up last year. With three and potentially five players committed at that position already for 2023, Josh Heupel doesn’t appear to be done.

The Vols are now in the top three for Baton Rouge, La., defensive back Jordan Matthews. A four-star across the board in the 2023 recruiting class, Matthews is a prospect from Woodlawn High School in Louisiana’s capital city.

Standing between 6’0″ and 6’1″ and weighing in the range of 165 to 175 pounds, Matthews is listed as a cornerback on all services. Joining Tennessee football on his list are the Texas Longhorns and Michigan Wolverines. He announced the schools and his commitment date Thursday on Twitter.

Given how the Vols’ pass defense was below average last year and then looked flat-out awful without Alontae Taylor when they faced the Purdue Boilermakers in the Music City Bowl, there are concerns about the secondary entering this year. Heupel added a lot of talent, but help is still needed down the road.

So far, UT’s key commitments in the secondary for next year have been at safety, so cornerback is definitely where they need to put their focus if they are going to continue adding players there. That’s where the concerns are even this year as well.

As a result, Matthews would be a great pickup for Rocky Top. Plucking him right out of LSU Tigers territory would be a feel-good win for them too. Hey, the Vols have succeeded with Louisiana kids they weren’t supposed to land in the past (Peyton Manning).

Next. Top 10 Vols from out of state on 2022 roster. dark

Currently, the Texas Longhorns have the only 247Sports Crystal Ball projection for Matthews, and it’s with a high confidence interval. They are also the overwhelming majority favorite on the Rivals Future Cast and On3 and a plurality favorite on the Rivals Fan Future Cast. As a result, Tennessee football has lots of work to do to land him, but never say never.

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