Tray Matthews

Former Georgia safety Tray Matthews announced Saturday afternoon that he was transferring to Auburn.

Matthews made the announcement on his Twitter account, saying, "Ready to be an Auburn man. I'm very humbled by all that has happened. Truly blessed."

It was on Twitter where Matthews relayed that he was leaving Georgia on June 3 and that Auburn or Louisville was the likely destination. Matthews was arrested before spring practice on charges of theft by deception after trying to deposit stipend checks twice, and being disruptive in class led to his dismissal.

The 6-foot, 196-pounder from Newnan, Ga., started six of the eight games he played last season and had 36 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception,. He will have to sit out the 2014 season and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Auburn is scheduled to open the 2015 season against Louisville, which has former Bulldogs defensive backs Shaq Wiggins and Josh Harvey-Clemons.

Matthews is the second former Georgia player who has wound up with Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, who signed former Bulldogs cornerback Nick Marshall in his 2013 class. As the Tigers' quarterback, Marshall had more than 1,000 yards both rushing and passing last season in leading them to the SEC championship and a No. 2 ranking.

"I'm truly blessed for this opportunity and second chance that God and Coach Gus has blessed me with," Matthews posted on Twitter.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.