#RockyTop24 Signee Mike Matthews Named Polynesian Bowl Offensive MVP
January 20, 2024 | Football
HONOLULU – For the second straight year, a Tennessee football signee has claimed the Offensive MVP award of the Polynesian Bowl, as five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews earned the honor in leading Team Makai to a 28-17 win over Team Mauka Friday night on NFL Network.
First played in 2017, the Polynesian Bowl is one of the top high school all-star games in the country featuring top 100 prep players. A year prior to earning Citrus Bowl MVP honors, Tennessee true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was the 2023 Polynesian Bowl MVP with 249 yards of total offense and a touchdown in leading Team Makai.
Matthews, a native of Lilburn, Georgia, hauled in two passes for 44 yards highlighted by a big catch-and-run touchdown. Matthews signed with the Volunteers last month and participated in Citrus Bowl practices. He was considered the No. 22 overall player in the country by Rivals, No. 25 by 247Sports and No. 46 by On3.
Matthews was one of five Tennessee players playing in the Polynesian Bowl. In addition, edge rusher Jordan Ross, offensive lineman Bennett Warren, linebacker Edwin Spillman and quarterback Jake Merklinger excelled all week during practices in Honolulu. Matthews and Merklinger will return to Knoxville and begin spring semester classes on Tuesday.
First played in 2017, the Polynesian Bowl is one of the top high school all-star games in the country featuring top 100 prep players. A year prior to earning Citrus Bowl MVP honors, Tennessee true freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was the 2023 Polynesian Bowl MVP with 249 yards of total offense and a touchdown in leading Team Makai.
Matthews, a native of Lilburn, Georgia, hauled in two passes for 44 yards highlighted by a big catch-and-run touchdown. Matthews signed with the Volunteers last month and participated in Citrus Bowl practices. He was considered the No. 22 overall player in the country by Rivals, No. 25 by 247Sports and No. 46 by On3.
Matthews was one of five Tennessee players playing in the Polynesian Bowl. In addition, edge rusher Jordan Ross, offensive lineman Bennett Warren, linebacker Edwin Spillman and quarterback Jake Merklinger excelled all week during practices in Honolulu. Matthews and Merklinger will return to Knoxville and begin spring semester classes on Tuesday.
BIG RED ➡️ BIG ORANGE @RaiolaDylan hits @mike1matthews for 6 and the XP is good!
— POLYNESIAN BOWL (@polynesiabowl) January 20, 2024
Mauka - 17
Makai - 7
7:37 left in the third. #PolyBowl🤙🏽🌴 pic.twitter.com/FPF2mRvR5q
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
OL
/ FootballFB | Cinematic Recap vs. Syracuse (8.30.25)
Tuesday, September 02
FB | Willie Martinez Press Conference (9.2.25)
Tuesday, September 02
FB | Joey Halzle Press Conference (9.2.25)
Tuesday, September 02
FB | Josh Heupel Press Conference (9.1.25)
Monday, September 01
