Ole Miss Steals Nashville OL Bryce Mathews away from Tennessee Volunteers
Written by Ryan Wright
The recruiting battle waged between Ole Miss and Tennessee over Bryce Mathews ended on Friday when the Nashville area talent verbally committed to the Rebels.
Mathews had several visits to Tennessee and Ole Miss going back and forth on his perceived top schools. Tennessee was the first to offer the son of former NFL lineman Jason Mathews (Colts and Titans) extending an offer in February of 2014. Surprisingly Texas A&M, Jason’s alma mater, never appeared to be in the running despite being one of 11 offers extended.
Clemson was considered another early favorite to land the Brentwood Academy star. Ole Miss landed Mathews over offers from Alabama, Michigan, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Northwestern, and Ohio State. Making the decision even tougher, Mathews teammate, and fellow offensive lineman, Ryan Johnson, also a 4-star recruit, verbally committed to the Volunteers on July 19, 2014.
Mathews posted the following note when making his commitment to Ole Miss public:
The 6’5.5”, 280 pound, left tackle, along with Johnson, receives expert offensive line instruction at Brentwood Academy, where his father Jason is the O-line coach.
Ole Miss now has 18 verbal commitments to their 2016 recruiting class. Of the 18 four are offensive linemen; Chandler Tuitt (Tyrone, GA), Eli Johnson (Oxford, MS), Jack DeFoor (Calhoun, GA), and Mathews.
Photo credit: tigernet.com; No. 76 Bryce Mathews looks for a blocker.
I, too, thought he would go to Texas A&M – just because of the family tradition. But kudos to him for venturing out and going where his heart leads him. I’m sure he’ll be outstanding at Ole Miss.
I thought Tennessee had him in the bag considering the proximity, the upward trend Butch Jones has the program heading, and his friend Ryan Johnson heading to Knoxville. Thanks!