Mike Matthews to portal? [He’s staying]

[C-south]

That’s precisely 100% right …

 

[The Original Fade]

He reportedly didn't even ask for more money from UT. Multiple posters have reported that his NIL hasn't changed.

So no, this wasn't about the money. If it was, he would have entered the portal the week after our loss to OSU like everyone else.

Then why did he test the waters?

 

[Zues1]

Ok fine

 

[Voluntarius]

In this new NIL age, we're having to sign elite recruits not just once, but multiple times. Not an easy task.

 

[jvols5]

In this new NIL age, we're having to sign elite recruits not just once, but multiple times. Not an easy task.

Yep, and contracts probably as well not earned

 

[Smokey7]

 

[INKYBERRYVOL]

 

[jvols5]

Dude come on. When I guy hits the portal then changes their mind it’s because they couldn’t find a better financial deal. Dont kid yourself or believe what anyone else says

Yep, probably couldn't get a better deal and also other coaches probably know of the situation and a no go. He's probably closer to a Nu'keece then that of a Jeremiah Smith or Jalen Milroe. Smith is a man among boys

 

[m1al]

you just said rumored. So not at all susbstantiated in any way, which means there's no good reason to believe it's actually true. You have a few guys who didn't get as much run as they thought they should of because the WR Coach we have has a STACKED room mouthing off on Instagram or wherever. That's it. That's all you got. Meanwhile the top WRs we have aren't going anywhere. Kelsey Pope is about to put MORE WRs into the NFL. It just makes no sense y'all are stuck on this.

Not "stuck" on anything brother. I'm just here reading and occasionally commenting. The coaches are going to do what they do and nothing I do or say will change that.

Also, I never said I believed the rumor about Pope one way or the other, just that it was out there. I'm curious where you get the idea we have "STACKED" wide receiver room.

Bottom line, atm we have a depleted WR room and CJH is evidently looking to add one (maybe more) from the portal. There appears to be an elite WR in the portal and if you're any kind of coach at all, you at least kick the tires here. To not do so would be derelict in your duties IMO, regardless if it chaps someone's ass or not..

 

[m1al]

Then why did he test the waters?

Worried about the Nico rumors and what the plan was to fix the offense is what it sounded like to me.

 

[KTrain]

So he couldn’t find a bigger payday? Interesting. Is he now a VFL?

This is probably right floated his name out there and probably got some bites but lower than he's already getting. It's hard to get ppl to give up money when you couldn't break in as a starter on a team with injured receivers and average receiver that ultimately left.

 

[DaddyChad]

Somehow the math isn't mathing. I didn't know a 20 point loss is worse than a 25 point loss.

Neutral sight vs Columbus. Didn’t really matter though both were beat downs.

 

[NEO]

Thank God!!!! Literally!!!

We could not afford to lose him. Get him and Branch in the field together and throw the damn ball.

 

[DaddyChad]

Definitely NOT what happened. He was offered more

AP said it’s the same NIL.

Logically though you would think some kind of compensation changed here.

 

[DaddyChad]

Then why did he test the waters?

I’ll find the direct quote. I’m not sure it passes the sniff test but at least you can decide yourself then.

 

[DaddyChad]

https://www.volnation.com/forum/attachments/1735939147383-png.711729/

See if this works

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

Somehow I still feel like it's because he couldn't find a better financial deal. If it wasn't for money, what was it for? A better chance at a championship?

 

[Majors]

Somehow I still feel like it's because he couldn't find a better financial deal. If it wasn't for money, what was it for? A better chance at a championship?

He might not of asked for more money, but I’m sure he will receive more money. Jaylen Wright did the same after the Orange Bowl. Enter the portal, see what’s there and come back. It’s a good leverage move and nice timing with the Nico uncertainty to help deflect.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

https://www.volnation.com/forum/attachments/1735939147383-png.711729/

See if this works

What did that even mean? Is he setting the table for next season? He didn't ask for more money, but wanted to think about it. Think about what exactly?

What it says to me is that if he has a good year next year he's going to hold us hostage then.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

He might not of asked for more money, but I’m sure he will receive more money. Jaylen Wright did the same after the Orange Bowl. Enter the portal, see what’s there and come back. It’s a good leverage move and nice timing with the Nico uncertainty to help deflect.

Makes me not give a **** about him one way or the other. Stay... Leave... I don't really care. Hopefully somebody that wants to be here beats him out.

 

[volnbama_]

So a guy starting his first year was 45th in the country in passing completion at 63.7%..... The top 5 guys 70.7-74% were 3+ year starters....

For him to reach that 70% he’s gonna have to hit on the deep ball at a higher percentage. I’m sure the stats on throws 20+ yards are ugly. I don’t think he got much help from his receivers this year so getting the team to 10 wins and playoff appearance is a successful 1st season. It’s not Nico’s fault he was the center of a huge NIL ordeal and has these huge expectations on him. I think it’s reasonable that the expectation next year and moving forward is for him to perform at that elite level

 

[cgrish]

Glad he’s staying but we’re probably going to have to go thru this bs again with him and Boo after next season

I agree, have to recruit them every year.

 

[cgrish]

Payton Lewis will be better.

I think they are both very good

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

The worst fanbase in all college athletics has to eat crow again. We had a 10-2 year, made the 12-team playoff in the first year and we have idiot fans on here wanting coaches fired and talking trash about 18-19 yr old kids. We act entitled and have acted this way for quite some time. This fanbase can't be happy with a Top 10 football team, #1 ranked men's basketball team, undefeated Lady Vols basketball team and defending National Championship baseball team. Danny White has done a phenomenal job as AD and bringing in winning coaches to bolster the athletic program but as always, this fanbase thinks it knows better than the people that are running the show. Its sometimes embarrassing to watch and listen to this fanbase.

Something tells me you weren’t among the thousands clad in orange in the Shoe a few weeks ago. This fanbase is so awful that Vol fans have on more than one occasion — just in the past few years, mind you — raised substantial sums of money to benefit not only our own players, but also opposing players and fans facing family and/or health crises.

If you hate this fanbase so much, you are free to join another. You won’t find one that doesn't have a contingent that freaks out over negative press, but that isn’t the sum total of what that fanbase is.

 

[DaddyChad]

What did that even mean? Is he setting the table for next season? He didn't ask for more money, but wanted to think about it. Think about what exactly?

What it says to me is that if he has a good year next year he's going to hold us hostage then.

I think what it means is he was sold on a dynamic offense that catered to skill players. What we saw this year was playing more to the defense and less conservative. I think that was due to the pass blocking a lot and having a young qb. Sounds like he wanted some answers on the direction of the offense going forwards.

Idk that I believe he got no increase in NIL though or anything like that. Just hard to believe.