Tennessee
Mike Matthews, One of America’s Best
Parkview’s Mike Matthews is the highest athlete within the nation. The Georgia native holds affords from each main program and will play on both facet of the ball at an especially excessive degree.
Whereas most evaluations require complicated analysis and breakdowns, Matthews’s expertise is clear even to those that do not watch soccer. He’s a uncommon athlete that may do every part and will likely be a big difference-maker on the subsequent degree.
He performs vast receiver and security for the Panthers and does so at a excessive degree. Matthews tallied over 1,000 receiving yards and ten touchdowns as a junior whereas nabbing two interceptions on protection.
The elite traits are obvious, however Matthews all the time seems in management. He seamlessly glides throughout the sector in fast, compact strides earlier than abruptly attacking both the soccer or the ball provider.
Matthews has a number of the most pure arms of anybody within the southeast. He routinely plucks the ball out of the air with one hand, making it look fairly straightforward. His sophomore tape even showcases some multitasking, securing the catch with one hand whereas working the sideline.
His heart of gravity and brief space quickness make him almost unattainable to deliver down in tight areas. Defenders let up once they suppose the play is useless, however Matthews works by way of contact and finds open area.
You may inform he has been allowed to reside off athletic traits for a very long time. Matthews has some nuanced route-running however might stand to drop his hips extra persistently out of his breaks.
Nonetheless, that seems like nitpicking. There aren’t many considerations together with his sport, and every part he wants to enhance is available on the faculty degree. He stands 6-2 and 180 lbs.; a lot of his bodily improvement within the coming years will likely be decided by whether or not he performs offense or protection in faculty.
Scroll to Proceed
Tennessee will host him and a litany of different prime recruits on Saturday for his or her junior day. Matthews has already been on campus, watching the Volunteers beat Alabama right away traditional.
This weekend will likely be integral in his recruitment shifting ahead. Matthews hasn’t set a selected timetable for his recruitment, however faculties should be prepared for a choice at any time when.
The Volunteers should lay a full-court press on this weekend. They need to make a robust impression, and in the event that they do, they’re positioned fairly nicely shifting ahead.
You May Additionally Like:
Be a part of the group:
Observe Evan Crowell on Twitter: @EvanVCrowell
You can observe us for future protection by clicking “Observe” on the highest right-hand nook of the web page. Additionally, you’ll want to like us on Fb @VolunteerCountry & observe us on Twitter at @VCountryFN.
The Tennessee Titans are just one day away from their next matchup against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
The Titans are looking for their first win since Week 9, when they beat the New England Patriots at home. In the last two weeks, Tennessee has lost by double digits to strong playoff-contending teams, and this week might not be much different against the first-place Texans.
CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco believes the Titans’ struggles will continue, falling 31-21 to the Texans.
“The Texans are playing on a short week, but they looked better on offense against Dallas with Nico Collins back. The Titans will have trouble stopping them this week, so look for the Texans and C.J. Stroud to play well. Will Levis won’t keep up,” Prisco writes.
The Titans will have to stop Houston’s multi-dimensional offense with Joe Mixon on the ground and Collins and Tank Dell through the air. Tennessee has the No. 2 overall defense this season, so it should provide a good test for C.J. Stroud and the Texans offense, but it still doesn’t make them a favorite.
If the Titans want to win against the Texans, they will have to pressure Stroud and take advantage of their offensive line, which has proven to be suspect at times during the season.
When it comes to the Titans’ offense, it needs to take care of the ball. Giving the Texans shorter fields will be the easiest way to lose the game, so if the Titans can prevent the Texans from scoring up close on short drives, they will have a chance to be competitive against their division rival.
Kickoff between the Titans and Texans is set for 12 noon CT tomorrow. The game can be watched on CBS or streamed on Paramount+.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Tennessee
Tennessee football commit Ethan Utley not looking ahead after Ensworth’s season ends vs McCallie
There was a reason Tennessee football commit Ethan Utley didn’t make any trips to Knoxville during the home stretch of Ensworth’s season.
Utley wanted to be fully locked into the Tigers’ TSSAA football playoffs run.
That’s one reason why Friday’s tearful postgame was so difficult. McCallie ended Ensworth’s season, defeating the Tigers 31-7 to advance to the Division II-AAA state final on Dec. 5 in Chattanooga against Baylor.
Utley, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound four-star defensive lineman, doesn’t know if he’ll enroll early at Tennessee yet. He hasn’t been thinking that far ahead. Everything lately, he said, was about the Tigers trying to reach their first TSSAA football state championship game since 2014.
“It hurts and it will hurt for a while. My mind was set on going to the state championship,” Utley said. “All the personal stuff, it doesn’t really matter. I knew Ensworth was going to be my home and where I would graduate from. I never wanted to transfer. My seniors and I gave it everything we could and just fell short.”
Ensworth (11-1) trailed just 7-0 at halftime. McCallie (10-2) began to put the game out of reach when Vanderbilt commitment Carson Lawrence returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown to go up 21-7 with 10:46 left.
Utley, who appeared in all 45 of Ensworth’s games since the beginning of his freshman season, played through an injury most of the second half until the pain became too much. He said he was kneed in one of his nerves in his right shin. He was helped to the bench by Ensworth staffers late in the fourth quarter.
“I told myself if it has to end this way, I’m going to have to get dragged off this field,” Utley said. “And that’s what happened.”
Utley is the No. 3 prospect from Tennessee in the 2025 class and No. 21 defensive lineman nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite. He intends to sign with the Volunteers when the early period begins Dec. 4.
“He’s super athletic for his size, very smart,” Ensworth coach Tim Hasselbeck said. “Depending on how he wants to change his body in the weight room, how he eats, he’ll figure out what position he’ll play. I think he could play on either side of the ball. He’s got a very bright future.”
Utley was an easy teammate to get along with, Hasselbeck said. That’s where Utley’s focus was Friday as he hugged players on the field one last time.
But he knows a big stage awaits in Knoxville.
“I’m excited for the competition. I’m grateful to be able to go play Division I football in the SEC. Most kids can’t say they can go do that,” Utley said. “I’ve been through some hard times. For that to be my next step, I’m more than blessed. When I get healthy and get my body right, get back in that weight room, get back on the field and start attacking it more, I’ll start getting ready for the bigger things ahead.”
Get the latest news and insight on High School football recruiting and local high school sports with The Bootleg newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.
Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.
The Tennessee Titans are finishing up their practice runs before facing the Houston Texans in Week 12, but there is a key player on the offense who won’t be making the trip to the Lone Star State.
According to team reporter Jim Wyatt, running back Tyjae Spears has been ruled out for the team’s game against the Texans as he has yet to clear the league’s concussion protocol.
Spears, a second-year pro out of Tulane, has been bit many times by the injury bug this season. The Week 12 contest will mark Spears’ fourth game missed this season.
So far this season, Spears has ran the ball 43 times for 161 yards and a touchdown.
With Spears out, starting running back Tony Pollard will continue to have a bulk of the carries while Julius Chestnut and Josh Kelley handle backup duties.
Also out for the Titans is offensive tackle Leroy Watson IV. Linebacker Jack Gibbens and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed are also ruled out on the injury report, but both of them will be placed on injured reserve.
Kickoff between the Titans and Texans is set for 12 noon CT on Sunday inside NRG Stadium.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Winter storms sweep across the U.S. while a new system is expected for Thanksgiving
California officer shot, killed knife-wielding man after attack outside police headquarters: bodycam video
Incoming Senate Dem Elissa Slotkin torches identity politics in 2024 autopsy: 'Go the way of the dodo'
Elderly man accused of roommate and dog's 'brutal' murder had extensive criminal record
Sheriff allegedly guns down judge in his own chamber in execution caught on video; indictment returned
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Winter storms sweep across the U.S. while a new system is expected for Thanksgiving
Who is Pam Bondi, Trump's new pick for attorney general?
At least 11 killed and dozens injured in Israeli strikes on Beirut
Trump announces picks for FDA, CDC; Novartis seeks bolt-on deals, raises guidance; RFK Jr., Elon Musk may find banning ads difficult; and more
From CDC to labor secretary: See Trump's top picks for Cabinet roles
-
Health1 week agoBird flu leaves teen in critical condition after country's first reported case
-
Business7 days agoColumn: Molly White's message for journalists going freelance — be ready for the pitfalls
-
Science4 days agoTrump nominates Dr. Oz to head Medicare and Medicaid and help take on 'illness industrial complex'
-
Politics6 days agoTrump taps FCC member Brendan Carr to lead agency: 'Warrior for Free Speech'
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
Technology5 days agoInside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI
-
Lifestyle6 days agoSome in the U.S. farm industry are alarmed by Trump's embrace of RFK Jr. and tariffs
-
World6 days agoProtesters in Slovakia rally against Robert Fico’s populist government
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago'Heretic' Review – A Rube Goldberg Machine Dripping With Theological Boredom