Former Vandy WR Jordan Matthews Attempting NFL Comeback At New Position

Tim Tebow isn’t the only former SEC standout attempting an NFL comeback this off season. Jordan Matthews, like Tebow, is attempting to comeback as a tight end. Matthews earned All-American honors as a senior and was a two-time All-SEC performer at Vanderbilt. A second-round pick by Philadelphia in 2014, Matthews told Turron Davenport of his plans for a comeback and move to tight end.

Matthews explained the position switch to Davenport, saying: “The phone lines weren’t ringing at wide receiver. So it’s like if you can’t give me a way there, I’ve got to make a way.” He mentioned  he's been working out at the University of Louisville (his wife Cheyna plays pro soccer in Louisville) with their assistant tight ends coach - Stu Holt and Gunter Brewer, the wide receivers coach.

In addition to working with the Louisville coaches on the finer points of the position, he's also added bulk to his previously listed 215 pound frame. The goal for Matthews is to eventually be tipping the scales at 235, while still remaining nimble enough to run the necessary receiving routes .“Once I hit that 235 mark, we’re going to try our best just to get some workouts and I’m going down that path,” Matthews said. “At the end of the day, most of those guys who are that (tight end/full back) hybrid, you’re blocking inside, that’s stuff that I’ve done before. And then when it comes to the route tree, where are you running most of your routes? Where I do my best work is inside.”

Standing 6'3, Matthews had an impressive start to his NFL career, catching at least 65 passes in each of his first three pro seasons, all with the Eagles. Prior to his fourth pro season, he was traded to Buffalo where he spent one injury-plagued year. Since then, he's bounced around New England, San Francisco and a second-stint in Philly, recording just 28 receptions over that span. In 2020, Matthews saw 14 snaps over San Francisco's final two games, but did not record a catch.

The Commodore alum feels his size (and the additional weight) will serve as benefit with how the game is played today, telling Davenport: "....the game’s changing, it’s shifting away from you having a ton of big receivers. … So I’m watching this and I called my agent and said we might have to make a shift. That’s what I did.”

Matthews' 24 receiving touchdowns remain tops in Vanderbilt history.