Jacob Matuska has collected several offers from BCS programs, but on Tuesday, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound athlete from Columbus, Ohio got one that he had been waiting for.
“He was offered by Notre Dame,” Bishop Hartley head coach Brad Burchfield said on Tuesday. “He was very excited and we’ll see how it all works out.”
Matuska already had offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Oklahoma and Toledo among others, but it’s clear the Irish offer was important to him.
“I can’t speak for the kid or the parents, but colleges have been coming in to see him since the ninth grade,” said Burchfield. “They would always come and he would come into school wearing his Notre Dame tie, every day, all of the time. I think that speaks volumes.”
Burchfield isn’t sure whether Notre Dame is recruiting Matuska on offense or defense, but says the Irish are in on a standout player and a standout kid.
“I tell coaches all of the time, he’s such a great player, but he’s an even better person,” the coach said.
“Whatever he’s ranked, a four-star recruit, he’s a five-star person. He’s a pretty good student, his character is impeccable. He comes from a fantastic family. Obviously he’s been a great player for us. He won a state championship and last year helped lead us to an undefeated regular season. We’re excited for him this year.”
As a junior, Matuska caught nine passes for 135 yards and four touchdowns with three two-point conversions as he helped lead Bishop Hartley to an 11-1 season. Bishop Hartley finished as Division IV Region 13 runner-ups after a tough 30-28 loss to Maty Mauk and Kenton High School in the title game. Matuska also finished with 33 tackles on defense.
He could play tight end, linebacker or defensive end in college and different schools are looking at him for different positions.
“He’s a punishing blocker and a devastating defender,” said Burchfield. “He takes away half of the field. Usually you say that about defensive backs, but as a linebacker, he’s able to take away half the field and prevent people from running to that side, which helps us as coaches.”
Matuska visited South Bend this past October for the Notre Dame-USC game and is already making plans for a return trip.
“I think he’s going up March 3rd for their Junior Day,” said Burchfield. “I hope it all works out.”
It sounds like things are moving in a very positive direction for Matuska and the Irish.
“If it all works out, they’re going to get an outstanding football player,” Burchfield said.
“It’s really exciting for all of us.”
