Mike Matthews withdraws from transfer portal and will return to Tennessee

Former five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal after a week of keeping Tennessee fans on the edge of their seat. This is the first big win Josh Heupel has had this portal cycle and could be an indicator of what could be coming as the Vols respond to losing half its receiver room.

One week after Matthews requested his transfer papers from Tennessee, it was announced on Friday morning that the former five-star would not enter the transfer portal and would return to Rocky Top.

Matthews didn't see the field nearly as much as he should. He registered playing time in 11 games but rarely touched the football. He finished the year with nine receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns. 

Despite the limited production from Matthews, the Vols will need him and the other Tennessee receivers to pick up most of the production from the 2024 season. Tennessee lost five receivers to the transfer portal, and Bru McCoy is expected to enter his name in the NFL Draft. 

Squirrel White, Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod, Nathan Leacock, and Nate Spillman all entered the portal this cycle, clearing half the wide receiver room for Tennessee. 

While those five players are gone, Matthews returning keeps a core trio of Matthews, Boo Carter, and Chris Brazzell II on Rocky Top. All three are veterans in Tennessee's system, and each creates an explosive dynamic to add to the offense in year two of the Nico Iamaleava era. 

The Vols also want to add players to the transfer portal to enhance the wide receiver room. Tennessee is targeting USC WR Zachariah Branch and Florida State WR Malik Benson in the portal to bring to Rocky Top. 

Tennessee has also been given an expert prediction to land four-star transfer wide receiver Amari Jefferson from Alabama. The Vols were a big player in his initial recruitment out of high school and could be where he lands as he looks to get closer to home.