The high school All-American game circuit came to a close last night with the Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu. Five Tennessee football signees competed in the game and one went on to win Offensive MVP Honors.
Five-star receiver Mike Matthews was the Vols’ highest rated signee in the 2024 recruiting cycle and earned offensive MVP honors after catching two passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.
It was a relatively modest stat line though few players put up big numbers in All-American games where each team frequently rotates players. Matthews’ 40-yard touchdown on a post route was the turning point in the game. Makai trailed Mauka 17-0 before the play but the touchdown jumpstarted the comeback that lead to Makai’s 28-17 win.
Check out the touchdown here.
Dylan Raiola rips one over the middle to future Tennessee WR Mike Matthews for the 40 yard TD #Huskers #GBR #PolynesianBowl pic.twitter.com/4rb6DVq0Wq
— Matt Foster (@MattFosterTV) January 20, 2024
The star receiver was one of five Tennessee signees that competed in the Polynesian Bowl along with five-star edge rusher Jordan Ross, four-star linebacker Edwin Spillman, four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger and four-star offensive tackle Bennett Warren.
Matthews ranks as a five-star recruit and the No. 20 player and No. 5 receiver in the country according to the 247sports composite rankings.
The highly touted receiver went through Tennessee’s bowl practices in December and returns to Knoxville this week as the Vols begin winter workouts and the spring semester.
