USF's prime NFL draft candidate by no means performed in a sport for Bulls – Tampa Bay Instances

TAMPA — The drought has spanned greater than a half-decade, 37 rounds and counting. Appears Mel Kiper had a mullet the final time a USF participant heard his title uttered on the NFL draft podium.
However the futility could also be nearing its finish, courtesy of a prospect with a excessive motor, imposing measurables — and 0 sport tape.
Mr. Irrelevant, meet Mr. Inconceivable: former USF basketball participant and one-time Bulls soccer experiment Bayron Matos.
“It’s a dream come true,” he mentioned.
As NFL goals go, this is without doubt one of the wildest. A Dominican Republic native who performed three years of faculty basketball in America, Matos’ subsequent down of organized soccer might be his first. He initially tried soccer within the spring of 2022 on the behest of former Bulls coach Jeff Scott, and labored out on each the offensive and defensive traces and on particular groups, however by no means appeared in a sport.
“(Scott) gave me a possibility to come back right here and push me by way of, inform me I had a great shot to do that,” mentioned Matos, who was listed at 6-foot-9, 291 kilos his one season at USF. “(Line of defense) coach (Da’Quan) Bowers, the previous teaching workers right here, these guys instructed me, ‘You’ve bought a shot.’ I wished to do it for me and my individuals, for them. They gave me a possibility.”
He didn’t play anyplace final fall, however missed the sport and wished to offer it one other shot. His alternative arrived through the NFL Worldwide Participant Pathway program, a league initiative designed to “cowl and develop elite world expertise able to competing within the NFL.”
Matos, 23, was amongst 15 gamers (representing seven totally different nations) chosen for this system’s Class of 2024. The group, which labored out extensively at IMG Academy, participated March 20 at USF’s professional day, the place Matos ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.88 seconds.
Had he run on the NFL mix, that point would have been the quickest amongst all offensive linemen invited.
“Clearly the fellows did professional day after I was right here, after I was on the soccer staff,” mentioned Matos, who transferred from New Mexico and averaged 1.5 factors, 2.7 rebounds and 10.6 minutes a sport in his lone season (2021-22) on the Bulls basketball staff. “I mentioned, “I wish to do this, man.’ ”
Evidently, the NFL has grown fascinated together with his bodily upside. A dozen groups have despatched offensive line coaches to work out Matos, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, who reviews that he presently measures at 6-7, 313 kilos with 35¼-inch arms.
“He’s clean, with good foot/hand coordination, and possesses uncommon punch explosion, former NFL govt Scott Pioli, player-personnel chief for 3 Patriots Tremendous Bowl groups, recently wrote on NFL.com.
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“As a lifelong evaluator, you simply know uncommon punch/explosion once you hear it and see it. You may hear his punch from the opposite aspect of the sphere.”
Because it stands, he and fellow former Bulls offensive lineman Donovan Jennings signify USF’s finest draft hopes for 2024. If one or each are chosen, they’ll be the primary Bulls taken since receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling was drafted by the Packers within the fifth spherical in 2018.
“It’s one thing I wished to do,” Matos mentioned. “Soccer again residence, the place I’m from … there’s not, like, soccer gamers. I wished to do it for my neighborhood and my individuals again within the (Dominican Republic).”
April 25-27, Detroit TV: ESPN, ABC, NFL Community
Spherical 1, 8 p.m. April 25; Rounds 2-3, 7 p.m. April 26; Rounds 4-7, midday April 27
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Joey Knight is a sports activities reporter who helps cowl all sports activities groups in Tampa Bay, from highschool athletes to professionals. Attain him at jknight@tampabay.com.
Matt Baker is a sports activities reporter overlaying school sports activities and recruiting. Attain him at mbaker@tampabay.com.
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