Tennessee makes big jump in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings

Tennessee continues to build something special in the 2024 class, and the Vols have made another big jump in the On3 Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings.

Following the commitment of five-star Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview wide receiver Mike Matthews, Tennessee jumped from No. 14 all the way inside the top 10 to No. 8 overall. His commitment also moves the Vols up to the No. 5 spot in the SEC.

The 6-foot, 180-pound Matthews is the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 4 wide receiver and the No. 3 recruit in the Peach State.

“What makes Tennessee right for me are the culture, the tenacity that everyone has there, how crazy the fan base is and the offense,” Matthews told On3’s Chad Simmons. “Everyone is bought into what Tennessee is doing and they have great support. Their fans have also always stood out to me.

…Tennessee’s offense may have been the biggest thing for me. They will throw the ball and allow me to show my talents and that was very important to me. Going to Tennessee will give me a great opportunity to produce on the field.”

Recruiting momentum continues to grow for Tennessee Football

Heupel’s second recruiting class with Tennessee showed promising signs for the future. The Volunteers finished the 2023 recruiting cycle with the No. 13 class in the country highlighted by one of the top quarterbacks in the country in Nico Iamaleava.

That class on top of what the Volunteers accomplished on the field in 2022 has helped Heupel and his coaching staff when it comes to building their 2024 class.

Prior to the start of the new year, the Volunteers had three commitments with four-star tight end Jonathan Echols, four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley and three-star defensive lineman Carson Gentle.

Four-star safety Marcus Goree became the Volunteers first commitment in 2023 and a week after his commitment they landed a pledge from four-star wide receiver JJ Harrell.

Tennessee was able to build upon that momentum during the spring landing six new commitments since four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger committed to the Volunteers on March 30. Since then, the Vols have added Lewis, four-star EDGE Kellen Lindstrom, offensive tackles Gage Ginther and Jesse Perry, and defensive back Edrees Farooq.

Now, as we head into the month of August in a few weeks, the Vols are up to 17 commitments in total following the summer decisions of Matthews, four-star receiver Braylon Staley, four-star running back Peyton Lewis, linemen William Satterwhite and Max Anderson, as well as do-it-all athlete Boo Carter.