Matt Holtry had no inside data or crystal ball when he made the choice. The soccer coach at Homedale (Idaho) Excessive had a number of choices when selecting which of Scott Matlock’s jersey numbers to retire this summer time.
An offensive lineman, defensive lineman and tight finish on the small highschool in Western Idaho, the Chargers’ 2023 sixth-round draft choose generally modified jerseys on the sideline between drives.
The quantity that might be honored as Homedale’s first retired jersey, Holtry determined, can be 44, the one Matlock wore primarily as a star tight finish. Holtry positioned the purple and white jersey in a body for a ceremony in July.
Lower than two months later, Matlock was sporting the quantity once more within the Chargers’ powder blue and gold.
The brand new jersey quantity is only a reminder of what Matlock’s all the time carried out. From Homedale to Boise State to the Chargers, Matlock has taken versatility to new heights.
The Chargers’ fullback and defensive lineman is the NFL’s solely two-way participant, showing in 36% of the crew’s offensive snaps, 19.7% on protection and 57.8% on particular groups.
“He’s an ol’ iron man,” Chargers basic supervisor Joe Hortiz stated.
CBS announcers hardly ever miss an opportunity to level out the practically 300-pound blocker when he crouches down within the backfield. Social media customers marvel at how Matlock is “built different.”
Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh gushed that Matlock is so properly conditioned that he not solely can play a number of positions in a single sport, however he additionally may play a number of video games again to again.
The Chargers’ Scott Matlock strains up as a defensive lineman in opposition to Steelers offensive deal with Dan Moore Jr. (65).
(Matt Durisko / Related Press)
Thrilled however unsurprised by his star pupil’s ascent, Holtry is aware of Matlock isn’t completely different simply due to his on-field exploits.
“He has God-given talent,” Holtry stated, this voice thick with emotion on the cellphone, “and he didn’t let his circumstances define him.”
It was the brand new Chargers defensive coaches who first seen simply how elite of an athlete Matlock was this offseason. The way in which the 6-foot-4, 296-pound defensive lineman may bend. How explosive he was. And, perhaps most significantly, how sensible.
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and defensive position coach Mike Elston beneficial Matlock to the offensive employees that was searching for a fullback.
“You don’t have to ask us twice,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman stated with a sly grin.
Chargers fullback Scott Matlock (44) strains up on offense in opposition to the Carolina Panthers.
(Brian Westerholt / Related Press)
Matlock, who stated he switched from No. 99 to No. 44 so he wouldn’t need to report as an eligible receiver 25 occasions a sport, arrives on the Chargers facility early each morning. He begins with particular person conferences with offensive coaches. He follows with defensive conferences, then loops again for an offensive walk-through. Then again to protection with time for particular groups and remedy. The time-juggling feat wows even his older teammates.
“You gotta have the mental for that,” stated defensive lineman Morgan Fox, who stated he has not performed offense and protection in the identical sport since probably freshman 12 months of highschool. “That’s tough, just listening to half of the offensive play calls.”
As with older brother Steven, who performed offensive line at Idaho, Matlock’s soccer IQ and understanding of the sport all the time had been past his years, Holtry stated.
Boise State coach Spencer Danielson recalled Matlock was calling out opposing offensive performs earlier than they occurred, shouting to his teammates whether or not it was a move or a run and figuring out which path the run was heading primarily based on how opposing gamers lined up.
The calls weren’t simply fortunate guesses. The under-recruited two-star prospect from an Idaho city of about 3,000 folks turned himself right into a two-time All-Mountain West honoree along with his relentless work ethic. Boise State started conferences at 6:55every morning. Matlock arrived by 5:45.
Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker (11) celebrates his area aim with lineman Scott Matlock (44) and punter JK Scott (16).
(Kyusung Gong / Related Press)
As he nonetheless does with the Chargers, Matlock arrived early to get additional remedy, get well within the sizzling tub and watch movie. It didn’t matter if he was feeling sick or if that week’s opponent was a small-name faculty.
“He’s just that type of freak that does things nobody else wants to do,” Danielson stated. “And that’s why he’s achieving results that everybody else wants.”
Matlock caught two landing passes at Boise State within the crew’s Clydesdale package deal that options a number of defensive linemen on offense, and now he’s greater than an occasional goal-line gimmick.
Matlock was the primary NFL participant since 2000 to play at the very least 40 snaps on offense and protection via three video games. He’s a key issue within the Chargers’ run-first offense, has one deal with on protection with a move damaged up and one reception, his first within the NFL.
After Matlock hauled within the brief move in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and turned upfield for 5 additional yards, CBS analyst Tony Romo gushed: “That’s a football player, through and through.”
“It’s awesome to see all these great things said about him and how physical [he is] and he’s a man-child,” Holtry stated, “And he is. He’s those things, but man, he’s got one of the biggest hearts that you would ever see.”
Initially from Boise, Matlock discovered himself in Holtry’s workplace at Homedale the summer time earlier than his freshman 12 months. He got here to the city close to the Idaho-Oregon border 45 miles west of Boise after his mom died instantly. Matlock, who misplaced his father to testicular most cancers at 9 years previous, was in foster care.
Holtry instantly may inform Matlock didn’t need to be there. He was in a farm city the place “if you sneeze, everybody knows about it,” Matlock half-joked. It was a tradition shock. Holtry, who can also be the highschool’s principal, hoped Matlock may give the varsity an opportunity.
Steadily, Matlock began opening up. He ate lunch weekly with the ladies working within the entrance workplace. He stopped by Holtry’s residence to do yard work. A towering presence with fiery purple hair, Matlock revealed himself to be “a big teddy bear,” Holtry stated.
“It was definitely the best thing that could happen to me,” stated Matlock, who was adopted by his foster dad and mom, Mike and Donna Marose. “Obviously with coach Holtry and that coaching staff and the teachers there, it was a blessing, for sure. I didn’t realize at the time, but I realize it now.”
When he arrived on the faculty, he was tall, nonetheless rising and uncoordinated. Coaches weren’t positive if he was an offensive lineman, a defensive deal with or a decent finish. They had been glad to decide on a solution that also applies with the Chargers.
All the above.
