In back-to-back weekends in June 2023, Tennessee football hosted four of the most coveted wide receiver recruits in the nation in hopes of landing a couple.
Almost 19 months later, all four players will be on the 2025 Vols roster after the addition of Alabama transfer Amari Jefferson. He joins Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley and Boo Carter at UT – all highly-rated prospects from that 2024 class.
It speaks to the youth movement for UT football, especially at wide receiver.
Here’s how they came together and how they could fit into the Vols offense.
How Amari Jefferson crossed paths with Vols in recruiting
In the 2024 recruiting class, Matthews was ranked the No. 6 wide receiver by 247Sports Composite. Staley was ranked the No. 21 wide receiver. Jefferson, a Baylor School standout from Chattanooga, was ranked the No. 35 wide receiver.
Carter was ranked the No. 4 athlete in that 2024 class with the potential to play defensive back or wide receiver.
All four visited UT’s campus during a whirlwind recruiting surge in summer 2023.
On June 16, 2023, Staley arrived on UT’s campus from Aiken, South Carolina. It was an official visit for the four-star recruit, and he committed to the Vols two weeks later.
One day after Staley’s official visit, four-star Carter committed to UT. He played defensive back and punt returner as a freshman, but there are hints that he may double-up as a receiver in the 2025 season.
On June 23, 2023, five-star Matthews and four-star Jefferson took official visits to UT. They joined Carter, who was also on campus that weekend after his commitment.
A month later, Matthews, a native of Lilburn, Georgia, committed to the Vols. But Jefferson pledged to Alabama.
Childhood friends Amari Jefferson and Boo Carter reunite
Jefferson committed to UT baseball in 2021, but he kept his options open as his football stock rose. Now he will play for an in-state school alongside a longtime friend.
Carter and Jefferson grew up together in Chattanooga. They were teammates and opponents in multiple sports throughout their childhood. Now they’ll face off in practice or perhaps run routes together as Vols.
Jefferson should compete immediately for a spot in UT’s revamped receiver rotation. Carter reportedly discussed with coaches the potential of playing some on offense next season in addition to his duties on defense and special teams.
Carter was an SEC All-Freshman selection at defensive back and punt returner. He could be a situational option at receiver next season.
Vols now have six players from 2023 Mr. Football Awards
The addition of Jefferson means UT now has six players from the 2023 Tennessee Mr. Football Awards, including three winners and three finalists.
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ATH Boo Carter, Bradley Central (Class 6A winner)
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RB Daune Morris, Oakland (Class 6A finalist)
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WR Radarious Jackson, Sheffield (Class 3A winner)
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WR Amari Jefferson, Baylor (Division II-AAA winner)
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DB Kaleb Beasley, Lipscomb Academy (Division II-AAA finalist)
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DL Carson Gentle, McCallie (Division II-AAA finalist)
Jefferson is the only player among those six to join the Vols as a transfer. The other five signed with UT out of high school.
UT touts Tennessee Mr. Football winners and finalists from other years, as well. For example, Brentwood Academy quarterback George MacIntyre and Ensworth defensive lineman Ethan Utley were 2024 Mr. Football Division II-AAA finalists. They signed with the Vols in the 2025 class.
Tennessee wide receivers are getting younger
Jefferson’s arrival also means UT’s receiving corps is very young. Matthews and Jefferson are 19 years old. Staley is 18. Carter, who may play some at receiver, is 19.
In the 2025 season, Matthews and Carter will be sophomores. Jefferson and Staley will be redshirt freshmen.
Chris Brazzell is the only other returning wide receiver. He will be a redshirt junior in the 2025 season. The Vols must replace all three starting receivers because Squirrel White transferred to Florida State and Bru McCoy and Dont’e Thornton exhausted their eligibility.
UT also signed three wide receivers in the 2025 class. Jackson, a four-star signee from Cordova, Tennessee, and Travis Smith, a four-star signee from Atlanta, enrolled early. They will participate in spring practice.
Joakim Dodson, a three-star signee, will arrive at UT in the summer. He is from Collierville, Tennessee, but he played his senior season at Baylor, the same school that produced Jefferson.
It’s another indication that the Vols are getting younger and relying on in-state talent.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Amari Jefferson joins Tennessee WRs from 2024 class after Alabama detour
