Two defenders hit the portal.
Tennessee has two more players set to hit the transfer portal. Cornerback Jordan Matthews and linebacker Jalen Smith will each look for new opportunities when the portal opens on December 9th.
Matthews, a former four-star prospect out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was a top 200 prospect in the class of 2023.
BREAKING: Tennessee CB Jordan Matthews plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports
The 6’2 190 CB will have 3 years of eligibility remaining
Was ranked as a Top 15 CB in the ‘23 Class (per On3)https://t.co/60lHJXt9Bq pic.twitter.com/NxNt6DLWnm
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 6, 2024
The redshirt freshman played just 83 snaps this year in Tennessee’s new-look secondary. Rickey Gibson, along with transfers Jermod McCoy and Jalen McMurray, took the majority of the snaps at the top three cornerback positions in the rotation. Matthews was expected to push for time, but that never seemed to happen.
Former three-star prospect Jalen Smith found himself in a similar situation on the linebacker depth chart. Smith did play quite a bit more, logging 34 tackles on the season. However, with Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander set to return, Smith was still going to be buried in the rotation.
BREAKING: Tennessee LB Jalen Smith plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports
The 6’2 225 LB totaled 34 Tackles & 4 TFL this season
Appeared in all 12 games in 2024 for the Vols
Will have 3 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/S9cBo77wjE pic.twitter.com/IAYggFTqHA
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 6, 2024
Smith is a former top 500 prospect in the class of 2023. Tennessee is bringing in a loaded linebacker class in the 2025 cycle, signing three four-stars and a three-star. The Volunteers shouldn’t have a numbers problem next season, but getting those freshmen up to speed will be key for developing depth going into 2025.