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Editor’s note: SDS is ranking the 25 best SEC players — at any position — of the last decade. Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews is the third member of a 25-part daily series.
- No. 25: South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery
- No. 24: Texas A&M LT Luke Joeckel
- No. 23: Vanderbilt WR Jordan Matthews
- No. 22: Alabama OL Barrett Jones
- No. 21: Georgia QB Aaron Murray
- No. 20: Florida OL Mike Pouncey
- No. 19: Georgia LB Jarvis Jones
- No. 18: Georgia WR A.J. Green
- No. 17: Alabama LB Rolando McClain
- No. 16: Florida LB Brandon Spikes
- No. 15: South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney
- No. 14: Alabama QB AJ McCarron
- No. 13: Alabama RB Mark Ingram
- No. 12: LSU DB Patrick Peterson
- No. 11: Alabama WR Amari Cooper
- No. 10: Alabama WR Julio Jones
- No. 9: Ole Miss LB Patrick Willis
- No. 8: LSU DL Glenn Dorsey
- No. 7: Tennessee DB Eric Berry
- No. 6: LSU DB Tyrann Mathieu
- No. 5: Florida ATH Percy Harvin
- No. 4: Arkansas RB Darren McFadden
- No. 3: Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel
- No. 2: Auburn QB Cam Newton
- No. 1: Florida QB Tim Tebow
23.) VANDERBILT WR JORDAN MATTHEWS (2010-13)
The SEC’s best player you’ve never heard of is probably Jordan Matthews, a wideout who shattered Earl Bennett’s previous school records and went on to set several league-wide marks during his four-year career in Nashville.
Matthews recorded an SEC-best 19 100-yard games during his illustrious stretch, including seven contests of 10 or more receptions.
Matthews’ strength off the line and route-running ability was often questioned heading into last year’s NFL Draft, but he’s already proven to be an impact player at the next level, emerging into one of Philadelphia’s top targets as a rookie.
Career numbers: 262 catches (SEC career record), 3,759 yards (SEC career record), 24 TD
Individual superlatives: First-Team All-SEC, 2012, 2013; First-team All-American, 2013; Biletnikoff finalist, 2013
NFL Draft: No. 42 overall (second round) in 2014
Defining moments: An essential member of consecutive nine-win teams at Vanderbilt — the first time the Commodores had accomplished that feat in 100 years — Matthews obliterated opposing secondaries with average quarterback play during his tenure. Despite defenses game-planning against him as a senior during the 2013 season, Matthews exploded for 112 catches, 1,477 yards and eight touchdowns.
