Tennessee Vols in a 3-team battle to land coveted WR in the transfer portal

What's next for the Tennessee football team at wide receiver? This week, the biggest piece of news was no question Mike Matthews deciding he won't be entering the transfer portal after all. That's right, he'll be back in Knoxville for the 2025 campaign.

While that's a big update, there's still more work to be done to help out the wide receivers room for '25, as five players left the program this offseason. Will Malik Benson end up signing with the Vols as a reinforcement for the offense? That's what fans are hoping for and Tennessee appears to be in a great spot to potentially land him:

Tennessee is a finalist for Florida State WR transfer Malik Benson

According to Hayes Fawcett, Benson is down to three schools: Tennessee, Oregon and Kansas State. Benson is in Eugene this weekend taking a visit with the Ducks, a team which just suffered a loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Dan Lanning needs some good news, but let's hope that doesn't come for him.

This past season for the Seminoles, Benson, a former Alabama signee, posted 25 receptions for 311 yards and a touchdown. Checking in at 6-1, 195 pounds, Benson is a speedster and he's got sure hands, something Tennessee would love to add on offense.

Zachariah Branch is also in the mix for the Vols, but it seems unlikely that Heupel would be able to land him AND Benson. Both players are yet to visit Knoxville, but Heupel and his staff are working to change that in the near future. Keep in mind that Amari Jefferson (Alabama) is a player to keep an eye on too.

With Matthews back in the fold, plus Boo Carter expected to play on offense next season too, there's some optimism that the WRs group will be able to take a step forward next fall. However, more help needs to be on the way. Will it come in the form of either Branch, Jefferson or Benson? We'll know soon enough.