Tennessee Football 2023 Season Preview: DB Jordan Matthews

For a Tennessee football recruiting class that was among the SEC’s best during the 2023 cycle, there could be a few names from that group who make an impact with the Volunteers as early as this season. Could freshman defensive back Jordan Matthews potentially be one of those names?

Tennessee Football 2023 Season Preview: DB Jordan Matthews

As mentioned above, Matthews comes to Knoxville as a member of Tennessee’s 2023 class, rated as a four-star cornerback out of Woodlawn High School in Louisiana. Matthews was also the No. 157 overall player in the nation a year ago according to the 247Sports Composite, and was the highest-rated defensive back in Tennessee’s 2023 class.

A high school track and field standout in the state of Louisiana as well, will Matthews see time for the Volunteers this season as a true freshman, and if so, in what role could that be?

Tennessee DB Jordan Matthews 2023 Season Prediction: 10 tackles, 1 PD

At 6-foot-2, 182 pounds, the true freshman cornerback is likely to see time for the Volunteers this season, but it will potentially come in limited action.

The cornerback position in one of the most experienced on the Tennessee football roster entering the 2023 season, as Kamal Hadden, Doneiko Slaughter, Warren Burrel, and Brandon Turnage are all back, while the Volunteers have also added a transfer to that group in Gabe Jeudy-Lally.

Because of this, playing time could come sparingly for Matthews in the Volunteers secondary this season, but that does not mean that the four-star will be kept off the field entirely.

Matthews could very easily play a special teams role for the Volunteers as a true freshman, while also potentially seeing action on defense as well. This could include both kickoff and punt return coverage, where his speed in the open-field could make an impact.

Overall, expect Matthews to show flashes in 2023, and cement himself among the names to know in Tennessee’s secondary entering 2024.