Former Tennessee DB Jordan Matthews announces transfer commitment, staying in SEC

Former Tennessee defensive back Jordan Matthews committed to Vanderbilt on Wednesday. He’s the second Tennessee transfer to announce a commitment to a new school, following Kaleb Webb, who committed to Maryland on Wednesday.

Matthews, a redshirt freshman from Baton Rouge, La., appeared in 12 games this season as a reserve defensive back and special teams player, recording 3.0 tackles and breaking up two passes.

He broke up both passes in the season-opening win over Chattanooga on August 31, recorded two tackles against Kent State on September 14 and had one tackle against the Mocs.

Jordan Matthews was a four-star recruit in 2023

Matthews was a four-star prospect in the 2023 class. He was ranked No. 143 overall, No. 16 at corner and No. 7 in the state of Louisiana, out of Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge. He picked Tennessee over LSU, Texas and Michigan.

The Vols have added one player out of the portal so far, getting Arizona offensive lineman Wendell Moe on Wednesday. Moe started 27 games over three seasons at Arizona. He was named All-Pac-12 second team in 2023 as a redshirt freshman and played 760 snaps this season.

Matthews is one of eight Vols that have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal since the portal window opened, and is the first to announce his commitment to a new school. 

Tennessee players in NCAA Transfer Portal won’t play for Vols in playoff

Other Tennessee players that have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal so far include receivers Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod and Nathan Leacock, freshman linebacker Jalen Smith, redshirt freshman defensive back Jordan Matthews, sophomore running back Khalifa Keith and freshman offensive lineman Vysen Lang. 

Webb initially committed to Wake Forest last week, but after the retirement of Wake coach Dave Clawson, he switched his commitment to Maryland.

Head coach Josh Heupel said on Monday that Tennessee players that have or are entering the portal will not play for the Vols at Ohio State Saturday night in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC/ESPN.

Tennessee last offseason lost 13 players to the NCAA Transfer Portal and added 10 players out of the portal, including tight ends Miles Kitsleman (Alabama) and Holden Staes (Notre Dame) and defensive backs Jermod McCoy (Oregon State) and Jalen McMurray (Temple). The Vols also added Lance Heard (LSU) at offensive tackle and Jaxson Moi (Stanford) on the defensive line.