Summer addition
AUBURN | Former Georgia safety Tray MatthewsClick Here to view this Link. will call Auburn his home for the next few years, he announced on Twitter Saturday.
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Matthews, who started six games for the Bulldogs last season, has announced on Twitter that he'll be enrolling at Auburn this summer. The rising sophomore was dismissed by Georgia earlier this month and tweeted at the time that he hoped to land at Auburn or Louisville.
Matthews' first season in Athens was a mix of highs and lows. He was one of the two UGA defensive backs to tip the pass that landed in Ricardo Louis' hand in November. That play, known as "The Miracle in Jordan-Hare," paved the way for Auburn's 43-38 win.
He appeared in eight games during the 2013 season, though, finishing with 36 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble. He tallied a season-high seven tackles against Auburn. He clearly was one of the Bulldogs' rising stars.
Matthews' life off the field has been stormy. He was arrested along with three teammates in March for theft by deception after reportedly double-dipping stipend checks. Matthews is completing a pre-trial diversion program that could remove the charges from Matthews' record, however.
The safety was in trouble again early this month when he reportedly caused a disturbance during a summer class. Richt soon announced Matthews' dismissal in a release, saying he was "trying to make room for guys who want to do things right."
Matthews visited Auburn three times during the past 10 days in an attempt to prove that his missteps at UGA could be compartmentalized. The Tigers found his argument persuasive.
The former Rivals100 prospect choose Georgia over Auburn out of Newnan (Ga.) High.
Matthews will immediately be awarded a scholarship offer, but will sit out the 2014 season due to D-1 transfer rules. He will have three years of eligibility.
Anthony Dasher of UGAsports.com contributed to this story.