Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 games
| Wk | Opp | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LONG | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 56-9vs Furman | 4 | 132 | 33.0 | 2 | 57 | Season-high 132 yds |
| Wk 2 | W 45-24@ Georgia Tech | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 0 | 12 | |
| Total | 6 | 148 | 20.5 | 2 | 57 |
#4
Mike Matthews
Junior wide receiver for Tennessee. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
6′1″ · 198 lb · Lilburn, GA · Parkview
CFB Index 72 · #67 of 485 WRsHigh confidenceReturning to Tennessee for 2026
CFB Index
A single number blending on-field production (an EPA-based value lane) with box-score output for this player's position.
0-100, scaled within each position's own cohort — not directly comparable across positions.
The numbers
148
receiving yards · 2026
6 catches · 2 TD · 24.7 per catch
2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 4 rec, 132 yds, 2 TD, vs Furman
The play that turned itSwung Tennessee from 13% to 64% to win.Oklahoma at Tennessee · 33-27
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
3 wide receiver for Tennessee. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.
- Signed as a 5-star recruit to Tennessee in 2024.
Buzz vs Tape
Fans warmer than rivals
His own fans are far more bullish than the rival fanbase.
30own fans
-50rival fans
Eric Cain breaks down the TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS' quarterback decision, highlighting Joey Aguilar’s impressive growth during training camp. The discussion covers the VOLS' offensive strategy, including their strong running game and potential…
Also worth knowing:
Mike Matthews
Wins underneath on volume and route precision. This is his third year in the same receiving corps at Tennessee. The receipt on tape: 132 rec yds, 4 receptions against Furman, Week 1, 2026.
148 REC YDS · 6 REC · 2 REC TD
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- season totals
- positional archetype classification
- seasons on the roster
- game log
His career
The week the volume broke through — put up 118 yds at Mississippi State.Mississippi State · W 41-342025
20244 games
- Signed with Tennessee5-star out of Parkview
Career arc
HS
Recruit
★★★★★
CFB
College
Tennessee
NFL
NFL Draft
—
Coaching lineage · 2024–2026
1 coach2024–2026
Tennessee
Played his entire career under Josh Heupel.
2026 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
3 seasons under Josh Heupel — 20-8 over that span.
2024Tennessee10-3HC: Josh Heupel · Run-heavy
2025Tennessee8-5HC: Josh Heupel · Balanced
2026Tennessee2-0HC: Josh Heupel · Run-heavy
Where this profile ranks vs the WR cohort
Box-score percentiles
High confidence
Elite: yards / catch (98th percentile). Strength: long catch (82nd percentile). Concern: receptions (0th percentile).
Box-score rates (5)
Percentiles versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score rates.
Splits & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 3.0 REC/g, 74.0 YDS/g, 20.5 YPR, 1.0 TD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Josh Heupel
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
Backup
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
Recognition
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
2026 outlook
Outside shot for All-SEC
Based on 2025: #15 of 58 SEC WRs
How the All-SEC estimate is computed
22% estimated, 95% confidence interval 19–25%. Base rate measured from players who finished at a comparable rank in their conference and came back the next season. It is an estimate from a small sample, not a forecast of this player.
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 1 · 2026
W 56–9
vs Furman
4 rec · 132 yds · 2 TD
Dominant 47-point win at home against Furman.
With F. Brandon — 226 yds · 3 TD · 0 INT · 68 rush yds (10 car) · 2 TD · J. Baker — 89 rush yds (3 car) · 1 TD
Game log
How he plays
Play style
Runs precise routes in tight quarters. Volume player who keeps chains moving.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
Tennessee
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Wide receiver · Tennessee
Returning around him
- 35% of 2024 offensive production back (Moderate turnover)
- 5 Tennessee players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -8 net (21 in / 29 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Tennessee · Last season: 8-5 (AP #18) · Talent rank #13 · 2026 recruiting class #8
DNA match
Player DNA
Slot Technician
Runs precise routes in tight quarters. Volume player who keeps chains moving.
WR
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Javon Baker’s 2022 season.
76%match
NFL Rd 4
Matches Javon on
Total EPA (college ability)
Yards / reception
Differs from Javon on
Recruiting rating (higher)
Class year (lower)
EPA / play (adj) (higher)
Through 3 college seasons, his career arc tracks closest to Dallas Dixon’s path through Central Michigan.
95%match
All-MAC
Matches Dallas on
Height
Yards per reception
Weight
As a sophomore, his production profile tracks closest to Ryan Williams's sophomore season at Alabama (2025).
78%match
All-SEC
Matches Ryan on
Total EPA (college ability)
Yards / reception
Reception volume
Differs from Ryan on
Weight (higher)
Heisman trajectory
Heisman Trajectory · 2026
Peak #134
Peaked at #134 this season.
Background
CAREER HONORS 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List 2026 Preseason All-SEC Fourth Team (Athlon | Phil Steele) 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 2025 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll 2024 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll CAREER One of the SEC’s top returning receivers and a go-to playmaker for the Vol...
The receiver room · Tennessee
- #14Braylon Staley837 receiving yards · 2025
- #4Mike Matthews813 receiving yards · 2025
- #3Radarious Jackson90 receiving yards · 2025
- #9Joakim Dodson38 receiving yards · 2025
- #1Travis Smith Jr.29 receiving yards · 2025
12 more on the roster · Tennessee team page
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology