5-star WR Mike Matthews newest comments on USC, other top schools

The attention on Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews is picking up as we get further into July. He has taken his official visits and his recruiting process is focused on four schools in what some think is crunch time ahead of his eventual decision.

WeAreSC was out in Lilburn, Georgia, this morning to get a look at Matthews.

Matthews spoke on his recruitment and gave his updated thoughts on the programs involved. While Tennessee is the school favored in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, he says USC has been a favorite of his.

“It’s a great place over there [at USC]. It’s beautiful outside, the coaching staff is all in, the players are all in and you can tell that it’s one big family. All of them want to be great, so that’s really what stood out to me the most.”

Matthews took his official visit to USC in mid June along with Tennessee, Clemson, and Georgia. His USC visit was alongside a number of top Trojans targets. He touched on what he thought was the most surprising to see while in Los Angeles.

“I would probably say how determined they are to be great. They’re moving the PAC 12 to the Big 10, so they’re real big on that.”

Matthews is another prime example of a Lincoln Riley guy. Riley has made Matthews feel like a priority from the start.

“He just constantly tells me about all the opportunities I can get from USC and not even like on the football field, but outside of that too,” Matthew said. “How it looks on my resume, how good of a business school they are and all the other aspects they’re good in to.”

Matthews is high on some others

The Tennessee Volunteers have long been a top contender in this recruitment. They currently lead the On3 RPM to land his commitment.

“From the jump, it’s been a real good relationship [with Tennessee]. I’m real good with Coach Pope and the staff really match me. I feel like they’re really just like me. They’re real competitive, they’re wanting to win, and they’re willing to work. All the intangibles play into it.”

Dabo Swinney has also made sure that Clemson has been a factor in the decision for Matthews.

“Clemson is just a true family,” he said. “Dabo has been bringing players back to the staff. So everybody’s just showing all the things that they experienced and passing it on to the new incoming players. They’re an ACC school, but they’re still hungry. They’re still beating SEC schools too, so they’re still on top of the game. They’re still really, really wanting to win.”

He did not touch on them, but Matthews has also had Georgia as a big influence in his recruiting process.

“Really all the schools I’ve been to, I have a great relationship with. That’s why I went on official visits there. I believe they’re good people, they’re willing to treat me right and lead me the right way. So there’s really not like a staff that I like more, but it’s really just based on the fit. Every coaching staff I have experienced is really good.”

What will be the decision be based on?

Matthews does not have a date set for his commitment, but fans and media are awaiting his decision with excitement.

He detailed what he feels his decision will be based on.

“Probably how I fit and how my family feels about it. It’s all about if the feeling is right. It’s more of a gut feeling rather than the actual choice. Then the culture. Who are the people I’m gonna be working with every day, you know, are they wanting to win? Are they willing to work every day? You know, no matter what it takes, how the coaching staff is, are they in to win too?”

Matthews is also paying attention to the support staff at each school.

“They’re an important part. Just to know that I have somebody that can talk to my family and keep them updated. It takes a lot of pressure off of me, honestly. So just to have that around, that’s really good.”

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