Where Tennessee's 2024 recruiting class is ranked after adding five-star WR Mike Matthews
Tennessee football’s 2024 recruiting class moved up six spots in the rankings after adding a commitment from five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews on Wednesday evening. The Vols are now ranked No. 8 overall and No. 5 in the SEC, with a class score of 90.98.
The 6-foot-0.5, 180-pound Matthews, out of Parkview High School in Lilburn, Ga., is the No. 14 overall player in the On3 Industry Ranking. He’s ranked No. 4 among wide receivers and No. 3 overall in the state of Georgia.
Before receiving the Matthews commitment, Tennessee was ranked No. 14 nationally and No. 6 in the SEC with a class score of 90.24.
Four-star wide receiver Braylon Staley was previously Tennessee’s highest-rated commitment in the On3 rankings, at No. 101 overall. The 6-foot, 180-pound Staley, out of Aiken, S.C., is the No. 18 overall receiver in the class and the No. 3 overall player in South Carolina.
Behind Stayley in the On3 ratings are four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley (No. 107), four-star tight end Jonathan Echols (No. 172), four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger (No. 197) and four-star running back Payton Lewis (No. 216).
Tennessee’s class is now up to 17 commitments, with one five star, 10 four-stars and six three-stars. Matthews and Staley are the only two wide receiver commitments currently in the class.
Mike Matthews is Tennessee’s fourth On3 five-star commitment under Josh Heupel
Matthews became the fourth five-star prospect, from either the On3 Ratings or the On3 Industry Ranking, to commit to Tennessee during the Josh Heupel era, following quarterback Nico Iamaleava and defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs in 2023 and edge-rusher James Pearce in 2022.
Iamaleava finished as On3’s No. 1 overall player in the country in 2023. Hobbs was a five-star in the On3 Ratings but a four-star in the On3 Industry Ranking. He was the No. 29 overall player in the On3 Ratings, ranked No. 4 among defensive lineman and No. 2 overall in the state of North Carolina.
In the On3 Industry Ranking — the Industry Ranking compiles ratings and rankings the four primary recruiting media services — Hobbs was ranked No. 51 overall, No. 7 at his position and No. 1 in North Carolina.
Pearce in 2022 was ranked No. 11 overall in the On3 Ratings. He was ranked No. 2 overall among edge rushers and No. 1 in the state of North Carolina.
On3 Scouting Report — Mike Matthews
Two-way playmaker with elite ball skills who has blossomed into one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2024 cycle. Measured at 6-foot-0.5, 185 pounds with a 6-foot-6 wing-span prior to his junior season. Lines up at both receiver and safety for Parkview High. Pairs that length with advanced coordination and hands to result in a considerable catch radius. Catches the ball away from his body and has shown the ability to win in contested situations on Friday nights and in 7-on-7 settings. A bouncy athlete who doubles as a standout basketball player in high school and on the AAU circuit. Still developing as a route-runner, but is showed progress as a junior. One of the top overall prospects from the state of Georgia regardless of class.
