Mike Matthews to portal? [He’s staying]

[DaddyChad]

Thornton

Hopefully he’ll be on an NFL roster.

 

[Cobb-Webb 1989]

Thornton

Tennessee receiver Dont'e Thornton officially declared for the NFL Draft on Monday afternoon following the end of his senior season in Knoxville. Thornton is out of college eligibility after starting his career in 2021 and not redshirting in any of his four seasons.

 

[ALLVOL 4LIFE]

Thornton

Thought he declared

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Thornton

Thorton is out of eligibility

 

[GiveHim6InSC]

He met with coaches this weekend, asked for NIL raise equal to Boo. Next day got it. Indicated he’d stay. Has been out of contact for a day. By the rules, we have to submit his papers tonight. He’s a great athlete, he has lots of good relationships on the team, but some of his closest relationships are in the portal. I guess he believes it’s worth shopping.

So… the Vols have met his conditions and he has decided to not answer the phone, knowing full well that the University has to submit the paperwork per the rules.
What a pathetic, immature way of handling one’s affairs.
Good riddance. I hope anybody else who puts themselves in front of the team leaves, too.
Hopefully, this move will blow up in the faces of he and whoever is in his ear, and the Heupel staff will adequately replace him from the portal. There seems to be some quality options available.
Got some studs coming in and some already here.
Let’s RIDE.
GO BIG ORANGE

 

[StuckInBamaVol]

So… the Vols have met his conditions and he has decided to not answer the phone, knowing full well that the University has to submit the paperwork per the rules.
What a pathetic, immature way of handling one’s affairs.
Good riddance. I hope anybody else who puts themselves in front of the team leaves, too.
Hopefully, this move will blow up in the faces of he and whoever is in his ear, and the Heupel staff will adequately replace him from the portal. There seems to be some quality options available.
Got some studs coming in and some already here.
Let’s RIDE.
GO BIG ORANGE

Sounds like he’s just being a dumb teen.

 

[GiveHim6InSC]

Sounds like he’s just being a dumb teen.

Guess so. It’s a shame.

 

[iuvol]

So… the Vols have met his conditions and he has decided to not answer the phone, knowing full well that the University has to submit the paperwork per the rules.
What a pathetic, immature way of handling one’s affairs.
Good riddance. I hope anybody else who puts themselves in front of the team leaves, too.
Hopefully, this move will blow up in the faces of he and whoever is in his ear, and the Heupel staff will adequately replace him from the portal. There seems to be some quality options available.
Got some studs coming in and some already here.
Let’s RIDE.
GO BIG ORANGE

It is being reported what UT is offering Branch WR, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the guys that rae committed somewhere else doesn’t go back in the portal and get some of that money. There also will be some more players to hit the portal when the rest of the games are over.

 

[cgrish]

Thorton is out of eligibility

Really, I didn't know that.

 

[GiveHim6InSC]

It is being reported what UT is offering Branch WR, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the guys that rae committed somewhere else doesn’t go back in the portal and get some of that money. There also will be some more players to hit the portal when the rest of the games are over.

I believe CJH and his staff will do the best they can to replace him with a quality receiver. I don’t think the receivers were the only issue this year, and they had to adapt the offense to what they had.
They get paid to win, and I’m proud of the season they had this year.
I’d rather have players who want to be here and who shape their habits accordingly than somebody who yanks chains and tries to game the system. They have a fantastic, coveted opportunity to begin with. It’s a shame that some don’t see that.
Go Big Orange!!

 

[Willie Hutch]

So… the Vols have met his conditions and he has decided to not answer the phone, knowing full well that the University has to submit the paperwork per the rules.
What a pathetic, immature way of handling one’s affairs.
Good riddance. I hope anybody else who puts themselves in front of the team leaves, too.
Hopefully, this move will blow up in the faces of he and whoever is in his ear, and the Heupel staff will adequately replace him from the portal. There seems to be some quality options available.
Got some studs coming in and some already here.
Let’s RIDE.
GO BIG ORANGE

Thank God you handled all your affairs appropriately as a teenager

 

[GiveHim6InSC]

Thank God you handled all your affairs appropriately as a teenager

Yes, I thank Him every day that He guided me down the right path.
I also thank Him that my Dad was a DI in the US Army and there’s no way he would have allowed this kind of stupidity.
Thanks for the encouragement

 

[LAVol1]

I heard it explained that the player only needs to officially request the paperwork by the deadline. After that, they can take as long as need be to decide. If they do go ahead with the transfer, then the school has 48 hours to place their name into the portal. Honestly, who the hell knows.

Not only does that not make any sense, it's not supported by the facts.

 

[LAVol1]

Notice Nico with time was much more effective.

I also noted that when Nico had time, he still would badly overthrow wide open receivers and throw behind players on slant routes.

 

[Boston Vol]

Not only does that not make any sense, it's not supported by the facts.

So explain to me why it’s now being reported that he will officially be in the portal tomorrow?

 

[LAVol1]

Vols have to put Matthews into portal tomorrow or we get something worked out. So it sounds like we’ll know something definite tomorrow.

The time frame for Matthews entering the portal has passed.

 

[VOLLeeann]

When Matthews goes so goes Nico?

 

[Jackcrevol]

The time frame for Matthews entering the portal has passed.

 

[DaddyChad]

The time frame for Matthews entering the portal has passed.

AP and Hubbs both saying he goes in tomorrow.

He submitted his paperwork. Tennessee had 48hrs to send it in. Got an extension bc of the holiday. He will officially be in tomorrow unless they work something out before then.

 

[allstar34bd]

maybe we can get in touch with Von Pearson didn’t he come from JuCo? We can run with a BYU aged WR core.

 

[Volfan1000]

AP and Hubbs both saying he goes in tomorrow.

He submitted his paperwork. Tennessee had 48hrs to send it in. Got an extension bc of the holiday. He will officially be in tomorrow unless they work something out before then.

Does Pope survive this mass exodus?

 

[QuarterSawnVol]

maybe we can get in touch with Von Pearson didn’t he come from JuCo? We can run with a BYU aged WR core.

Might want to kick the tires on Justin Hunter, Denarius Moore and Donte Stallworth while we’re at it

 

[DaddyChad]

Does Pope survive this mass exodus?

No idea. I think he definitely was fine. I doubt Matthews leaving changes that. Pope recruited most of these young guys coming in. Definitely think next year will decide a lot. WR and Oline have to be better or Heupel will have to make some decisions.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

AP and Hubbs both saying he goes in tomorrow.

He submitted his paperwork. Tennessee had 48hrs to send it in. Got an extension bc of the holiday. He will officially be in tomorrow unless they work something out before then.

Did they indicate he was in the portal AND OUT THE DOOR? Lost the information chain?

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

So… the Vols have met his conditions and he has decided to not answer the phone, knowing full well that the University has to submit the paperwork per the rules.
What a pathetic, immature way of handling one’s affairs.
Good riddance. I hope anybody else who puts themselves in front of the team leaves, too.
Hopefully, this move will blow up in the faces of he and whoever is in his ear, and the Heupel staff will adequately replace him from the portal. There seems to be some quality options available.
Got some studs coming in and some already here.
Let’s RIDE.
GO BIG ORANGE

While I don’t enjoy the fact that the portal has changed the dynamics of this sport, it’s just a fact. All the pontificating about values and loyalty doesn’t change the harsh reality that these kids are seen as a generational asset by themselves, their families and handlers. They all believe that the dynamics of playing time, systems and reps that highlight their talent, and compensation are reflective of the value of that asset. Matthews was recruited on the success of Hyatt, and the balls that come to that position and the one wide. Prior to Matthews’ injury last Summer he was on track to start. After the injury, he never regained that spot, and only worked into the rotation at the end of the season. In games, we ran much more than we ever have and Nico didn’t see him or others running open in the check downs. Pope is a taskmaster, but not a great teacher and the room turned on him. Many also thought Nico would leave. Understand that other (top) teams are telling Matthews he’d play, get more balls, be developed better, work with a better qb, and ultimately increase his draft stock. The timing of all this was bad. He didn’t get to talk to coaches until after he submitted. Initially he just wanted to be heard, and get an increase. After word leaked that he was entering, he’s gotten several tangible offers that are higher and promises to play in a better environment with better coaching. He’s listening. He’s also listening to us. It’s a decision that means millions, if not tens of millions to him and his family. It’s a very hard decision to make as a 18-20 year old kid. We didn’t handle it perfectly. He didn’t handle it perfectly. The situation isn’t perfect. That said, it’s not a black and white Boy Scout character issue anymore. The changes are destroying why we all care about the game and it’s purity. Understand Matthews is seen as a top three receiver in the portal. The system encourages teams to offer more. It’s a market now, I don’t like it, I believe they’ll develop changes, but for now, this is the behavior we’ll get. The room turning on Pope is a bad development too. I don’t know how much of that is his fault vs players’, but you don’t lose this many guys by doing a great job. I’m glad everyone knows how their values would shield them from the temptation of trying to maximize their value in an uncertain situation, but it’s just not that simple.