Tennessee’s receivers didn’t live up to their billing last season. The Vols are out to change that this season with one key player at the center of their focus.
“He took a jump in just his day-to-day process,” Tennessee receiver coach Kelsey Pope said when asked about rising sophomore receiver Mike Matthews. “He comes to work with a mentality every day to want to get better. I think there’s still a ways to go in the consistency area. I think that happens naturally as a young player, with him being the second year in this offense. But what I have seen and what I have enjoyed is the way he competes every single snap, which is a jump from what he was a true freshman.”
Matthews’ maturation is key. Tennessee has to replace its No. 1 receiver now that former Vol Bru McCoy has gone onto the NFL. The Vols will also have to replace former Vol Donte’ Thornton Jr., who is also out of college eligibility and former Vol Squirrel White, who transferred to Florida State.
“He’s one we’re going to count on,” Pope said of Matthews. “He’s one that we’re going to expect a lot from. He’s one that’s going to meet the standard every single day, and he’s done that for the most part in the spring.”
There’s a ton of pressure on Matthews, perhaps even more than would be ideal. The former Georgia preps standout caught only seven passes for 90 yards last season. Is he ready to be the go-to guy in Tennessee’s passing attack? Time will tell, although that is clearly the plan.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava knew as much when he took Matthews back home to California. The two visited Iamaleava’s hometown to bond and work on their chemistry together.
“I think that extra time always helps build camaraderie,” Pope said. “That stuff is always beneficial. It’s always good and any time you can spend extra time, that just helps timing. It helps the relationship. Those things benefit us as a ton, so as much extra time as those guys can get together out of the building, it helps us a huge, whole hell of a lot.”
The Vols only have one truly proven receiver coming back from last season – and that doesn’t include Matthews. Chris Brazzell II caught 29 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns last season despite having a tendency to be too hard on himself at times.
“You’ve got to see when he’s beating himself up and it’s more of a softer voice to reaffirm and giving him confidence,” Pope said when asked how he handles Brazzell. “You’ve got to see times when he may not be as hard on himself as he needs to, and in those moments I’m challenging him.
“…He’s done a better job. He’s got a ways to go. He’s done a better job than last year, but he knows he’s got a ways to go in that area, because ultimately I think when he does that right, he’ll help us a ton.”
Tennessee’s go-to receivers are young and seemingly unsure of themselves. That’s not ideal. The issues won’t be completely addressed in the Orange and White Game on Saturday, but it will surely be a focal point in summer workouts.
