Tennessee continues to search for the right fit at linebacker for its 2018 class, and with limited spots, the Vols have zeroed in on a couple super athletic, versatile hitman.
Gurley, Ala. native Matthew Flint is one of those prospects.
The 6-foot-0.5, 213-pound outside linebacker tested off the charts at the Atlanta Opening in late March, running a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and recording a 36-inch vertical jump. Roughly two weeks later, Flint earned a UT offer.
“I’ve been talking to Tennessee a whole lot lately. I’ve been talking to (linebackers coach Tommy) Thigpen a lot, and Butch Jones has been texting me honestly, too,” Flint said. “They have a lot of interest in me, so I can’t help but not show them back interest.”
As a junior, Flint averaged 7 tackles a game and recorded five sacks and three forced fumbles. He also played receiver, leading the Tigers with 9 touchdowns.
“I’ve got speed and covering ability. I’m a hybrid linebacker,” he said. “I’m not your average hit-a-hole ‘backer. I can cover tight ends, running backs out the backfield. I’m just a hybrid player that you need now.
"The game is evolving from a running game to a passing game. People like to spread you out and throw the football. I’m a linebacker that not only can come in and stop the run, but ain’t got to take me out when teams start throwing the ball all over the place. I can cover.”
The Madison County Schools linebacker has visited Tennessee multiple times in the last two years, including a pair of visits this spring. He attended a Junior Day and later returned to campus for a spring scrimmage.
As a sophomore, Flint camped at UT, and frustratingly went home without an offer. Still, he never soured on the Vols and is glad he ultimately earned Thigpen’s admiration this spring.
“I’ve known Thigpen since my sophomore year. I had to keep on working for it, but to finally get that offer, it was a big deal to me,” Flint said.
Along with Tennessee, the 3-star linebacker holds early interest from Ole Miss, Louisville, Vanderbilt and Auburn, among others. He has ties to the Tigers and plans to camp at Alabama this summer, hoping to earn an offer from the home-state Crimson Tide.
Still, two teams are currently leaning on Flint the most right now.
“Tennessee, along with Ole Miss, are the top two schools recruiting me the hardest right now,” Flint said, adding that the Vols made him a priority visit during the spring evaluation period.
“I’m considering Tennessee very highly because for me, I want to find a school that’s interested in me. I want to go somewhere that wants me to play for their program.”
Flint is teammates with another Tennessee target: tailback Tae Provens. The two have been friends for nearly a decade and have talked at length about possibility playing together in college. Flint said Proves remains a big fan of the Vols.
“He talks about Tennessee a whole lot. His mom is from Tennessee and he has a lot of family up there, so it’s just a quick, natural link for him,” Flint said.
“It’s a good place for him.
Like Provens, Flint is an early enrollee and hopes to make a decision by the end of the summer. He’ll give the Vols a long look and plans to be back in town again sometime this summer.
“I kind of want to commit before the season, but I’m not really sure yet. I don’t want to rush it or anything. I do kind of want to put things together,” he said.
“I’m sure I’ll be in Knoxville pretty soon again. It’s not too far away. I saw Thig at Junior Day and came back for another scrimmage practice. I’m sure he’ll work his way to get me to visit again soon.”
