'09 MI OT Zach Matthias (Wisconsin Verbal)

[HotMic]

Scout Profile
Rivals Profile




Hemlock (MI) Hemlock High School

Ht: 6-foot-6
Wt: 290 lbs
Forty: 5.28 secs
Bench max: 280 pounds
Squat max: 515 pounds
GPA: 3.6
Class: 2009 (High School)

Scout Bio:

Will be a three year starter and was an All-Conference player as a junior.

Scout $

1/18

By A. Trieu. Michigan is recruiting Matthias the hardest right now, with the rest of the Big Ten and some Southern schools such as Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Clemson contacting him as well. His coach says that if Michigan were to offer, they would be hard to beat.

[ChisAto]

I hope to see a couple early offers given out this year, so we can give a few early commits like William Campbell for 09, and Cissoko for 08. Matthias, Chris Norman, are just a few we might be able to lock up early if we should significant interest.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

3/10

From TheWolverine...talks about what he will be looking for during his upcoming visit to UM this weekend. Grew up a UM fan and hints that an offer would probably end his recruitment pretty early.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

4/21

Wisconsin offered during his visit for their spring game. Not in a hurry to decide and also talks about his contact with MSU.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

5/13

From the MSU site...MSU offered on his way back from the NIKE camp in Columbus. Hasn't heard much from UM recently, other than mail.

[marley26]

5th Commitment

http://wisconsin.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=816527

[Bernini]

Thanks, Marley.

I have to do a bit more studying before I develop an opinion on this commitment. He wasn't really on my radar as a prospect much period.

Here's some free information on Matthias:

Originally Posted by ESPN

Mack Truck" Matthias Is a powerful force on both sides of the football. Doubling as an offensive tackle and a defensive end, this 6'6" 305 pound mammoth of a man never seems to get tired. Offensively, he moves the defensive man off the line of scrimmage by churning his huge legs on the drive block. Gets his hands into the defenders body and once he locks on, the defensive player is going for a ride. Could be a little more violent with his hands but is overall strength makes up for the initial punch. Defensive linemen have no chance on the double team. Matthias and company just need to decide in what county they're going to drop off the opponent. Regularly knocks the defender to the second and third levels on the combination block. Solid pass protector that uses his hands well to keep pass rusher away from his body while buying time for the quarterback. Doesn't sustain blocks quite as well downfield but gives good effort getting there. On defense he can destroy a double team block and rarely gets moved off the line of scrimmage. Shows athleticism when slanting to the inside and is a good reactor for a 300 plus pounder. Flattens out once in the backfield and takes good pursuit angles down the line of scrimmage. Matthias is a very good football player both sides of the football but is best suited to be an offensive guard.

They rated him a 76 out of 100.

[Bernini]

Here's a very positive thread about Matthias on Spartan Tailgate

- They talked about how Carr loved him before he resigned. He must not be thuggish enough for Rich Rod at this juncture. Watch out for a decommitment if he robs a liquour store.

#15 Strong OT in the country per Emfinger.

[Heavystarch]

He was one of our first tackle offers, so he was definitely a plan A. At 6'6 290 he fits the build for a typical Wisconsin tackle. Definitely could add more strength, as his listed bench is 280 and squat at 515, which are solid, but not spectacular for a kid his size.

Kind of worried if he is a plan B for UM. If they offer late in the game, I wouldn't feel real confident. All in all a solid commit for sure. Lets keep the momentum rolling

[Bernini]

Originally Posted by Heavystarch

He was one of our first tackle offers, so he was definitely a plan A. At 6'6 290 he fits the build for a typical Wisconsin tackle. Definitely could add more strength, as his listed bench is 280 and squat at 515, which are solid, but not spectacular for a kid his size.

Kind of worried if he is a plan B for UM. If they offer late in the game, I wouldn't feel real confident. All in all a solid commit for sure. Lets keep the momentum rolling

He is the prototype T/G for Wisconsin. Tall, stout, smart, and can really get his momentum going downfield as a run blocker. I think he's best off at guard because his footwork and lateral quickness doesn't project to be good enough in space against quick DE's. If Wisconsin's trainers can make him much stronger then he could be the next Kraig Urbik.

[cportbucky]

More about football recruit Zac Matthias - Badgers Blog

From an interview with Zac's HS coach.

Q: What would you say are Zac's strengths?
A: His physical strength is his lower body. He's 16 years old for another month and squats well over 500 pounds and his feet are incredible for a 300 pounder. He works those jump boxes like a wide receiver at our level. His vertical is roughly 30 to 31 inches. He can two-hand dunk the basketball. He's just extremely agile for his size and for his age. Most kids that are that big at 16 years old are still trying to figure out how to walk straight.

[Heavystarch]

Sounds a lot like Qvale