The Tennessee Volunteers football team has had a hectic few days with players announcing their plans to leave after this season. On Friday, linebacker 5-star caught many by surprise by declaring his intent to enter the transfer portal.
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Shortly after that update, more disappointing news surfaced for head coach Josh Heupel and his staff. Cornerback Jordan Matthews, a notable recruit from the 2023 signing class, also announced he won’t be returning to Knoxville next season. While Matthews’ departure isn’t entirely unexpected given his spot on the depth chart, it’s still a bit of a letdown.
Tennessee Vols cornerback Jordan Matthews will be entering the transfer portal
With Jordan Matthews adding his name to the transfer list, the Tennessee Volunteers now have five players set to enter the portal when it opens on December 9. The others are linebacker Jalen Smith, offensive lineman Vysen Lang, running back Khalifa Keith, and wide receiver Kaleb Webb.
Matthews participated in all 12 games this season, primarily contributing on special teams. His limited role on defense likely influenced his decision to seek opportunities elsewhere.
A four-star recruit from Woodland High in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Matthews was ranked as the No. 18 cornerback nationally and the No. 7 prospect in Louisiana for the 2023 class. He chose Tennessee over programs like Stanford, Michigan, and Alabama. However, increased competition in the secondary under defensive coordinator Tim Banks limited his playing time.
As the transfer portal window approaches, it’s expected that more Tennessee players may announce their intentions to transfer.
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