Five-star Mike Matthews, Boo Carter and other early enrollees arrive at Tennessee for bowl practice
Tennessee hit the practice field on Saturday to fully begin their bowl preparations for the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day against Iowa now that finals are over for the players and the off-campus recruiting dead period is arriving for Josh Heupel and his staff.
As the Vols worked out on Saturday, they welcomed 10 of their 12 mid-term enrollees.
Saturday, five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews went thought his first practice. The 6-foot, 180 pound Matthews is ranked as 46th player nationally by On3.
His good friend and four-star athlete Boo Carter also went through practice. None of the newcomers will play against Iowa but they will give the offense and defense a look as scout team players along with getting fundamental work along with their first look at how the Vols practice. The dynamic Carter is thought to make an immediate impact in 2024 as a returner on special teams.
Carter’s high school teammate, Marcus Goree, a four-star defensive back, went through Saturday’s workout as did four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger.
Four-star receiver Braylon Staley, who turned down overtures from South Carolina in the last 10 days, will be in Knoxville on Sunday, following the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl where Staley has had an impressive week.
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Joining those five on Rocky Top to begin their college careers are four offensive linemen in Jesse Perry, who’s fresh off a state title, along with Colorado stand out Gage Ginther who’s stock has continued to climb throughout the fall. Also, Ohio four-star guard William Satterwhite has arrived in Knoxville along with Texas guard Max Anderson.
Finally, Baltimore safety Edrees Farooq is in town and went through his first practice with the Vols on Saturday.
Defensive end Kellen Lindstrom is not in Knoxville. The 6-6, 240-pound Missouri native is completing his final exams next week at Glendale High School and is expected to join Tennessee in Orlando for practice.
Running back Peyton Lewis is a mid-term enrollee but Virginia’s school calendar does have him finishing up the fall semester till after the new year so Lewis will arrive on Rocky Top for the start of the spring semester in January.
