Jake Matthews Position: OT School: Texas A&M Height: 6' 5" Weight: 305 lbs Class: Senior 40 time: unk All-Star Game: None Team Captain: No Overall Rank: N/A Position Rank: 1 Draft Projection:

Initial Thoughts

Jimmy O’Brien:  Matthews is a solidly put together, agile, athletic blocker, who exhibits good balance, and makes proper use of angles. He’s not a power driver; rather, he’s more a stick and shield blocker, who relies on sustained engagement to keep his opponent from making the play. He can line up hits on the move, and is a proficient cut blocker. In pass protection, he stays balanced, with his weight over his feet, and, at times, will land a solid punch;  however, mostly he relies on just controlling the defender, neutralizing the advancement through absorption. Matthews is rarely bowled over, or driven back, but he could use additional strength versus power rushers. When he solidly connects with the opponent’s chest plate, his punch is very successful. But, if the battle devolves into hand fighting, Matthews struggles, and gets his hands swatted away or down too easily, and is almost always beaten after that; here, he lacks the strength to repel if the angle and leverage are lost. He has limited success against speed rushers, largely because he gets little depth on his kick slide, and often is beaten around the corner. There’s a lot to like with Matthews, but he’s far from a polished performer. He’ll never be a road grader or a superior athlete in pass pro, but most of his flaws are correctable, and he’s only been a full time starter for one season. As such, there’s plenty of time for him to develop his game, and he could end his Junior year a much improved player, and an early round selection.

Jake Matthews vs Oklahoma (2012)

Jake Matthews vs Alabama (2012)

Luke Joeckel & Jake Matthews vs Ole Miss (2012)

Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews vs LSU Defense (2012)

Jake Matthews and Luke Joeckel vs Florida (2012)

Luke Joekel & Jake Matthews vs Jackson Jeffcoat & Alex Okafor (2011)