Tennessee's Mike Matthews is 'dialed in,' showing no frustration over lack of playing time
If Mike Matthews is frustrated with his lack of playing time and production, the five-star Tennessee freshman isn’t showing it. At least not in front of wide receiver coach Kelsey Pope.
“What that kid has done,” Pope said of Matthews on Tuesday, “he’s done an incredible job of not paying attention to outside factors. He could be, but around me, around this building. He’s dialed in, he’s got a great attitude, he’s hungry.
“That doesn’t mean he’s not frustrated,” Pope added. “He’s hungry and that’s all I can ask for. He’s got a really bright future here because he’s got the attitude and it’s only a matter of time before he starts to make those plays.”
It’s been a while since Matthews has had a chance to make any. His only two catches of the season came on his only two targets of the season, back on September 14 in the 71-0 bench-emptying win over Kent State at Neyland Stadium.
Mike Matthews this season: 2 catches, 35 yards, 1 TD
He finished the game with two catches for 35 yards and a touchdown. He’s been on the field for just 29 passing snaps this season.
Matthews headlined Tennessee’s 2024 recruiting class as a five-star wide receiver out of Lilburn, Georgia. He was ranked in the On3 Industry Ranking as the No. 26 overall player in the country. He was ranked as the No. 6 wide receiver in the class and the No. 4 overall player in the state of Georgia.
“Mike, he has flashed at times,” Pope said. “He’s got a really bright future here. I think a lot of stuff comes with experience, right? Like (being a) freshman in this league is hard. There’s growing pains in this league. I think as long as he continues to do what he’s doing, he’s staying positive, he’s working his butt off.
“I think as long as he continues to do those things, it’s only a matter of time before he starts to see the plays being made that he wants.”
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Pope explained what’s obvious. Matthews, like any other player, wants “to be on the field in critical situations” and is working to get to that point.
“And his attitude as of late has been awesome,” Pope said, “and that’s what he’s working towards.”
Up Next: No. 7 Tennessee vs. Kentucky, Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network
The only question is when that work will show on game days. Head coach Josh Heupel said during his weekly press conference on Monday that he feels like “there’s a greater opportunity for execution at times when (Matthews) is out there.”
“Some of that’s the guys around him, some of that’s him, too,” Heupel said. “We need him to continue to come on and be a big part of what we’re doing here on the back half of this season.”
For the time being, Pope is emphasizing the importance of each player “running his own race.”
“Like my race is different from this guy playing here or this guy playing here,” Pope said. “You ultimately don’t know where you or them will end up.
“But what happens is if I’m looking at someone else’s plate, and I’m not looking at my own food, then my food gets cold and I’m not able to take advantage of my own opportunities.”
