Wyandotte's Matt Commits to Play Football at EMU

Senior inside linebacker and running back has verbally committed to play football at Eastern Michigan University.

Matt is currently in his third year of varsity football at , his second as a team co-captain.

He has 78 tackles and one sack this season at linebacker, the position he will play at EMU.

As a running back for the Bears this year, Matt has rushed for 550 yards and 11 touchdowns, including . Matt also handles the kickoff duties for Roosevelt. His kicks have gone an average 47 yards and he has had two touchbacks.

At 6’1” 215 pounds, Matt’s combination of speed and strength has had him on the radar of collegiate scouts for some time. In addition to EMU, Matt also received an offer to play at University of Akron. Both schools play in Division I college football.

The coaching staff at EMU, and the fact they have turned the formerly downtrodden Eagles into a competitor, was a primary reason Matt said he took the school’s offer on Saturday.

“The coaches there are great,” Matt said. “They are the best MAC (Mid-American Conference) team in the state.”

The location of the school, only about 30 miles away from his home, also was a key factor in the decision, Matt said. 

Wyandotte head coach Ron Adams played at EMU and in 1987 helped lead the team to a victory in the California Bowl. He was later honored by the team, which placed his name among other notable former players along the upper rim of the stadium.

“Hopefully I can get my name up on that stadium like he does,” Matt said.

Matt is part of a successful football family, as his brother Andrew, a former Roosevelt standout, currently plays at Wayne State University and his father David played at Northern Michigan University.

Matt is a two-time Wyandotte Patch Athlete of the Week and also excels . He was one of the best players in the Downriver League last season, hitting .505 with two home runs and 40 RBIs.

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