“We need him to continue to come on and be a big part of what we do on the back half of the season.”
Knoxville, Tenn. – Tennessee wide receiver, Mike Matthews is a player Josh Heupel said will be a big part of what they need to do in the back half of the season if he continues to progress at the right speed.
In limited outings this season, he’s shown how much of a difference maker on the outside he can be.
The freshman receiver is certainly making the most of his opportunities down the stretch.
Specifically in the regular season finale against Vanderbilt, stepping in for injured Bru McCoy and Dont’e Thornton.
In his first target of the day, he hauled it in for a touchdown catch.
He now has seven catches for a pair of touchdowns.
What he did against Vandy highlighted the tireless work he’s put in behind the scenes.
It also reinforces a message wide receiver Bru McCoy has emphasized to Matthews all season, that while you’re not getting the reps you thought you would at the beginning of the season.
He also said that doesn’t automatically mean you’re under achieving or behind schedule.. but just be ready when that moment comes.
“He’s one of the younger guys that I get to spend a lot of time with. He’s like my little bro,” said McCoy. “I remind him to be urgent, you have time, but don’t let that time let you get laxed, still continue to push the needle but just be ready for when your opportunity comes.”
How he’s delivered in those opportunities continues to build trust with the staff that he can be someone to trust in big time moments.
From this moment on, the moments have never been bigger.
His maturity is what wide receivers coach, Kelsey Pope said has been his greatest asset.
“I’ve been impressed with him maturity, he’s grown up a ton,” said Pope. “From a football knowledge standpoint, he wants to be a sponge, he’s always asking questions, he’s always in the building. He’s a guy that going down the stretch he’s going to continue to make plays for us, because he’s going to be a guy that we need to make plays on the outside.”
Earlier in the season when Matthews made his debut against Kent State, it was a massive moment. Especially when you considered that he was a little banged up during spring ball.
Then fast forward to Vanderbilt where he hauled in three catches for 30 yards and a score, his instant impact on the game was a reflection of that same maturity and understanding of the game.
Being ready for when your name is called might be the main message Heupel has for his team each year.
It appears Matthews has been more than ready for it.
“Been super consistent and a really good practice player, and I knew the last two to three games, you can just see it coming,” said Heupel. “It’s a credit to him, to just keep investing when it’s not necessarily exactly what you thought it would be, and understanding that, man, there’s still a lot out there for him.
It was also what he did without the ball in his hands that Heupel particularly liked and resembled a lot of McCoy brings from a physicality standpoint.
Earlier in the game he set up a crucial leading block for Thornton enroute to an 86-yard touchdown reception.
Those types of plays had Heupel saying he’s got a great future in front of him.
“Everybody’s going to see the balls that were in his hands,” said Heupel. “There’s a couple things where coverage didn’t take Nico that side right away. But I thought he did a great job. And then he played without the ball extremely well. He had some big-time perimeter blocks, too, that I thought he executed extremely well. He’s a tough-nosed kid, man, and highly competitive. Got a great future in front of him.”
Once Matthews becomes a part of the regular rotation of receivers during game day, it’ll make more a lethal combination.
With that, he could be primed to breakout this postseason.
