Bear Down Wildcats

Matthews is a 6'3", 230, Senior linebacker from Tucson. After playing primarily on special teams as a true Freshman walk-on, Matthews has been a significant part of the linebacker rotation for the last 2 years starting 14 of the 22 games he has played. He has 76 career tackles and last year Matthews made 40 unassisted tackles, 36 assisted, 2 for a loss, and had 1 fumble recovery for his most productive year as a Wildcat. Matthews is our most experienced linebacker with the most tackles, games played, and starts, but will still have a stiff competition to try and secure one of the starting linebacker spots.

Here is an OKG interview with Matthews from 2014.



47 is the Arizona single season record for receptions by a tight end set by some guy named Rob Gronkowski in 2008.

47 is also the single game pass completion record ( and FBS Freshman record) set by Anu Solomon against Cal in 2014.



No. 47
Most TDs Responsible For (TDs scored and passed for), Game: 7, Keith Smith, vs. California, Nov. 2, 1996 (five passing and two rushing)/
Always nice to see that there are still offensive records for a Coach Rod team to break.

We need a big year out of Jake.

There are only two LB positions open so competition will be very high. All LBs are gonna have to bring their A game. Some residual LBs can funnel over in the stud or even a safety position if they're fast enough. There will be tweaks to the scheme but the base suggests two LB positions.