Breaking: Five-Star player Surprises UConn by Resigning and Switches His Commitment To Tennessee Volunteers Over Georgia and Kentucky Wildcats

In a stunning twist that has rocked the college basketball recruiting world, five-star small forward Jaylen Matthews has officially decommitted from the University of Connecticut and announced his new commitment to the University of Tennessee. The decision, which came via an emotional social media video and a brief public statement, ends weeks of speculation surrounding Matthews’ status and sends a major recruiting ripple across the SEC and national landscape.

Matthews, widely considered one of the top five prospects in the 2025 recruiting class, had originally committed to UConn last fall and was expected to be a cornerstone piece in Dan Hurley’s already stacked program. But in a shocking about-face, Matthews has now pledged his future to Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Volunteers—choosing the Vols over powerhouse programs like Kentucky and Georgia, both of whom made late pushes in the past month.

This decision not only alters the trajectory of Tennessee basketball heading into the future, but also signals a shift in recruiting priorities for one of the nation’s most electric prospects.

When Matthews committed to UConn in October 2024, he cited the program’s “winning culture,” “NBA preparation,” and “developmental focus” as key reasons behind his decision. The 6-foot-8 wing from Atlanta, Georgia, was seen as a natural fit in Hurley’s system—long, athletic, versatile, and capable of playing multiple positions on both ends of the floor.

But according to sources close to the situation, Matthews began having second thoughts after the 2024-25 season concluded. Several factors appear to have contributed to his departure:

Crowded Depth Chart: UConn’s recent recruiting haul has added elite wing players, many of whom would directly compete with Matthews for playing time in his freshman season. With multiple five-stars already signed, Matthews reportedly grew concerned about carving out a consistent role early on.
Geographic Ties: Family members, especially his mother and grandfather, had long expressed interest in seeing Matthews play closer to home in the Southeast. While UConn offered prestige, it lacked the regional connection that SEC programs provided.
NIL Opportunities: Though Matthews has not commented publicly, insiders say Tennessee offered a more aggressive NIL structure that prioritized his brand and personal development. The Vols’ “Vol Club Collective” reportedly presented a more player-centric NIL framework, with long-term marketing and endorsement opportunities already in the works.
Coaching Relationships: Rick Barnes and his staff have recruited Matthews since his sophomore year and maintained contact even after his UConn commitment. That consistent communication, mixed with a recent campus visit that reportedly “blew Matthews away,” played a pivotal role.

In his announcement video posted to Instagram and X, Matthews expressed gratitude to UConn while stating his desire for a “new direction, closer to home.”

“First off, I want to thank Coach Hurley and the UConn family for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be part of a winning program,” Matthews said. “This was not an easy decision, but after deep conversations with my family and mentors, I’ve decided that my future is in Knoxville. I’m committing to the University of Tennessee!”

Matthews donned a crisp orange Tennessee hat and ended the video with a powerful message: “This is more than basketball. It’s about legacy.”

Sources close to the Matthews camp say the final decision came down to Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. Each school made compelling pitches:

Kentucky Wildcats, led by new head coach Mark Pope, emphasized tradition and a fast-paced offense tailored to Matthews’ skillset. But uncertainty around Kentucky’s roster turnover and a recent exodus of assistants hurt their chances.
Georgia Bulldogs, coached by Mike White, leaned heavily into the “home state hero” narrative. Athens is just a 90-minute drive from Matthews’ hometown, and Georgia’s revamped facilities impressed him. Still, the lack of recent national relevance ultimately proved to be a deciding factor.

In the end, Tennessee’s blend of development, family feel, and brand-building proved to be too much to pass up.

Matthews is a game-changing player with the ability to make an immediate impact as a freshman. At 6-foot-8, 210 pounds, he combines size, speed, and instincts to dominate on both ends of the floor. A fluid scorer, he can shoot from deep, attack the rim, and operate in transition. His defense is perhaps even more tantalizing—Matthews is known for guarding four positions and has elite lateral quickness.

In his junior season at Eastlake High School in Georgia, he averaged:

24.3 points per game
9.1 rebounds
3.7 assists
2.2 steals
1.6 blocks

Those numbers earned him All-State honors and a spot on the Team USA U18 training camp roster. He’s widely projected as a future NBA lottery pick.

Tennessee assistant coach Justin Gainey, who played a lead role in recruiting Matthews, praised his fit:

“Jaylen is the type of talent that doesn’t come around often. He’s a competitor, a leader, and someone who already plays with a professional mindset. He’s going to elevate everything we do here.”

Rick Barnes already had a solid 2025 class in place, but adding Matthews elevates it into top-5 national territory. Alongside combo guard KJ Moore and stretch forward Landon Briggs, Tennessee now boasts a trio that could reshape the program for years.

Matthews’ commitment could also have a domino effect. Already, fellow five-star center Xavier Glenn—currently uncommitted—posted a cryptic “” on X following Matthews’ announcement. Tennessee has also picked up recruiting momentum with four-star shooter Malik Benton, who is scheduled to visit later this month.

The Vols are now positioned to compete not just for SEC titles but potentially Final Four aspirations in the coming years. With Barnes entering his 11th season in Knoxville, the program’s trajectory continues to trend upward.

Losing Matthews is a blow to Dan Hurley and the Huskies, who were counting on him to headline their 2025 class. Though UConn remains stocked with talent, especially in the backcourt, Matthews’ size and versatility were seen as unique assets.

Hurley has not released an official comment, but a source close to the program said the coaching staff was “disappointed but not blindsided.” Matthews reportedly communicated his concerns early and allowed the staff time to pivot.

Still, the optics sting. UConn, the reigning national champions two years running, rarely loses recruits at this level—and certainly not to SEC programs. The staff will now likely re-engage with top-40 wing targets who remain uncommitted, including New Jersey standout Bryce Foster.

Both SEC rivals came up short in landing Matthews, but each is still positioned well moving forward.

Georgia: Mike White has reinvigorated the Bulldogs’ recruiting operation and has a strong in-state class. While missing on Matthews hurts, Georgia remains in play for several local four-star talents. Look for them to turn up the heat on SG Dante Rivers and PF Elijah Bell.
Kentucky: Mark Pope is building his identity as Kentucky’s head coach and losing out on Matthews was not entirely unexpected. However, Pope remains active in the portal and with high school prospects, including five-star point guard Trey Dunlap.

Jaylen Matthews’ decommitment from UConn and surprise commitment to Tennessee represents a major moment in the 2025 recruiting cycle—and could prove pivotal in reshaping college basketball’s competitive balance in the years to come. For Tennessee fans, it’s a dream come true. For Rick Barnes, it’s validation of years of grinding on the recruiting trail.

But for UConn, Kentucky, and Georgia? It’s a reminder of how volatile and unpredictable recruiting has become in the modern NIL-driven era.