To be a great athlete, the drive you possess to perfect your craft is as important as anything. On Wednesday’s episode of the Mike Keith Show, Tennessee junior wide receiver Mike Matthews joined the show. Matthews enters the 2026 season on the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list. In two seasons he’s compiled 60 receptions for 903 yards and six touchdowns, and this season could be a special one for Matthews.
“I definitely feel faster, just, you know, thanks to D.O. [Derek Owings] coming in and putting us through the wringer, getting us right, getting ready for the season,” Matthews told Keith. “I feel like I’m at the best I’ve been in college.”
The work that Matthews continues to put in is heavily credited to Owings’ influence. Then, when Matthews’ biggest sports influence came up, I automatically thought of the work ethic and high level consistency that LeBron James has displayed for more than two decades.
When Keith asked, “What is it about him?” That was the first thing he mentioned. “I would say his consistency and really just him as a person,” Matthews said.
Whether you are a James fan or not, you have to admire the longevity of his career. He isn’t just doing it at an average level either. Last season he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game. At 41 years old, James is still running the court with guys that weren’t even born when he began his NBA career back in 2003. Even more so, Matthews admires the impact he has on those around him. Making teammates better is a trait that is often undervalued.
However, when making others better, the player also has to make sure he is better. When it comes to Matthews, he embraces that. Even after his freshman year, he knew he needed to work on his craft. Matthews caught seven balls for just 90 total yards and two touchdowns in 2024. He watched his film and knew that his route running had to improve to not only help his cause, but for the quarterback as well.
“So I know sometimes that I would do some things that would kind of throw off the quarterback,” he said. “And, you know, it’s not a lot of time back there. So if they’re not really feeling what I’m doing, they feel unsure about it, they’re just going to look away. So just knowing that and being able to grow off of it, being able to improve my game all around and just make the quarterback situation easier.”
Matthews came back his sophomore year and skyrocketed his production with 53 receptions for 813 yards and four touchdowns in 13 starts. Now, Saturday begins season number three, and he’s ready to take another step. With the major influence and instruction from D.O. and wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope, 2026 looks to be a monster year.
Tennessee opens the season against Furman Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT inside Neyland Stadium. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+/ESPN+, and as always on the Vol Network radio broadcast.
