Thursday Insider: Tennessee Volunteers Land a Historical WR Recruit, Sooners Five-star Flips Commitment to Tennessee Volunteers Over Georgia and Texas Longhorns; This One Is Very Significant Because of The History He Has With…
In what may go down as one of the most pivotal recruiting moves of the 2025 college football cycle, the Tennessee Volunteers have pulled off a stunning double coup that has the college football world buzzing. Not only did they land a historical wide receiver recruit who’s already being talked about as a future NFL first-rounder, but they also secured the flip of a five-star commit from the Oklahoma Sooners—one who had also been heavily courted by powerhouse programs like Georgia and the Texas Longhorns.
The five-star in question is none other than Jeremiah “J.J.” Matthews, a 6’3″, 190-pound wide receiver out of Cedar Hill, Texas. Matthews, ranked as the No. 2 wideout and the No. 10 overall player in the nation, originally committed to Oklahoma early in his junior season. At the time, the Sooners seemed like the perfect fit: a pass-heavy offense, a wide receiver-friendly system, and a history of sending talent to the NFL. But the tides began to shift late last year when Matthews started taking quiet visits to Knoxville. The connection began to grow, and it wasn’t just about football.
This one is very significant—and personal—for Matthews. His late father, Marcus Matthews, was a star wide receiver for the Volunteers in the early 2000s. Known for his toughness and clutch performances, Marcus was beloved in Knoxville before tragically passing away from a car accident in 2012. At the time, J.J. was just a child, but he grew up hearing stories about Neyland Stadium, watching highlights of his father in orange and white, and even wearing his dad’s old Tennessee gear around the house.
During his announcement, J.J. became visibly emotional, stating: “This was never just about football. This was about legacy. I’m going to Tennessee to finish what my dad started.” The crowd at his high school erupted when he pulled out a Tennessee cap, wiping tears from his eyes. Fans from all over Volunteer Nation have been rallying around the commitment, calling it one of the most meaningful in recent memory.
The impact of this commitment can’t be overstated. Tennessee has now firmly planted its flag in the fertile recruiting grounds of Texas—an area traditionally dominated by Big 12 and SEC giants like Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. It also deals a significant blow to Georgia, who was viewed as a close second in the race for Matthews, and Texas, whose NIL pitch reportedly nearly swayed him.
Beyond the emotional layers and recruiting shockwaves, Matthews is a game-changer on the field. With elite separation, crisp route-running, and breakaway speed, he has the tools to start as a freshman. Paired with Tennessee’s new up-tempo offense under head coach Josh Heupel, Matthews could flourish in Knoxville the same way Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman once did.
Adding to the momentum, Tennessee also secured a commitment from Darius Fulton, a 6’5″, 210-pound wideout from Atlanta who’s being described as “a generational talent.” Fulton, who set a state record with over 2,000 receiving yards last season, has drawn comparisons to Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson for his blend of size, speed, and body control. Recruiting insiders are calling it “a WR haul that could define a new era” for the Vols.
This Thursday may be remembered as the day Tennessee didn’t just win a recruiting battle—but reshaped the narrative around its program. With these two massive pickups, the Volunteers have sent a loud message to the rest of the SEC: the climb back to national prominence is no longer a dream—it’s a plan in motion.
Stay tuned. Knoxville is about to get very loud.