Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Matuska Signs Letter of Intent
By Nick Combs
Nov. 17, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Tanner Price (10) throws under pressure from Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive end Tony Springmann (69) in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 38-0. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jacob Matuska
Tight End
3 Star
Bishop Hartley
Commitment Date: 03/07/2012
Matuska is Brian Kelly’s prototypical “big skill” player. He could play either Tight End or Defensive End. He probably will start out on the Defensive side of the ball for Head Coach Bob Diaco but do not rule out a switch to Tight End down the line. Matuska played against lesser competition in the Greater Columbus area. He will need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the game. His trend as a player could resemble that of current Notre Dame Defensive Linemen Tony Springman, who possessed great size but needed time to develop before he was ready to contribute.
From the Slap the Sign Prospect Evaluation:
"The 18th ranked tight end in the 2013 class has been committed to the Irish for almost a year. He was the second recruit to commit for the 2013 season behind Elmer. Since then 2 more tight ends have committed in the same class Heuerman and Smythe. Matuska is the lowest ranked tight end in the class, but is possibly the best blocker out of all three. His footwork and hand placement give him the necessary leverage to make good sustained blocks. Last fall he went up against arguably the best recruit in Notre Dame’s 2013 class Jaylon Smith. Matuska blocked him a couple of times, but it was usually when the ball was going away from Smith. Matuska does lack speed and quickness, but he makes up for that in strength and technique.At 6’5’’ 240 pounds Matuska is going to move you where he wants you to go. With the first class training he will receive at Notre Dame he will become stronger and bigger within the next year. These three 2013 tight ends will be competing for potential playing time as a freshman, but more than likely only if someone goes down with an injury."