Photo Courtesy Christopher Hook
Redshirt senior defensive end Michael Matus was entering his fifth and possibly his final year with Arizona State Football. He looked to end his five-year journey with the elusive Rose Bowl that has been out of reach for Matus and the program during his tenure. However, those goals won’t be realized with him on the field, as Matus announced Monday that his campaign is over with a torn ACL.
Matus suffered the injury during practice last Wednesday during a “random play.” Matus was shocked because he could endure five more plays before needing to sit out. He never expected an injury like this, but after finding out the news on Friday, Matus was able to settle down and get back to what he’s been doing for the past five years: work.
“One of the main things I’m focused on right now [is] getting into surgery, getting into rehab, and taking it day-by-day,” Matus said. “It’s very unfortunate circumstances, but unfortunately, it’s football, and it happens all the time. I’m not too sure what the future holds for me, but the only thing I’m worried about right now is just getting to rehab.”
The 2021 season saw Matus rack up 28 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss in his second year in the starting role and anticipated to exceed those numbers heading into this year. ASU coaches try to prepare players that their season can be over in the blink of an eye, but the reality of the situation doesn’t soften the blow.
The Katy, Texas native has fully integrated himself into the culture at ASU and has become a cornerstone for the program. That dedication and pride for the program haven’t been lost on his teammates. Redshirt junior defensive lineman Dylan Hall was with Matus when he received the news and felt the emotions that came with it.
“I was there with Mike when he got the news himself, and I caught him crying, and it got me a little choked up because Mike does a lot for us, especially for me since I’ve got here,” Hall said. “So, just hearing that news and how it affected him. It killed all of us because of a lot of us.”
Hall was emotional when speaking about Matus because he described that Matus took him under his wing in teaching a list of things too long to name. The loss doesn’t only hurt Hall and the d-line, but the team as a whole as head coach Herm Edwards talked about the effect that Matus has had on the program.
“When the team found out, it was amazing how many guys went over there to hug him. That’s the kind of guy he is. He’s built his reputation over the last five years,” Edwards said. “None of those guys have played as many snaps as 91. It was always a comfort to watch him run out there, knowing that when big moments in the game start. He’ll give those guys in the huddle along with [redshirt fifth-year linebacker Kyle Soelle] because they’ve played a lot together, and that’s what you miss with those guys. It’s the glue they bring [to] the moment of the game.”
Matus will still travel with the team and be an honorary captain, showing off how high regard Edwards and the program hold in his presence. Edwards shares a close bond with Matus as both came to ASU around the same time in the winter of 2017, only 17 days apart. The fifth-year head coach vividly remembers his first moments with Matus.
“I remember going to his house recruiting him in Texas. [The] first time he came in Spring, he looked like he was 195. Everyone said, ‘is that a safety?’ I said, ‘No man, that’s a defensive end,'” Edwards said. “He’s grown into a really good football player for us.”
Matus clarified he was 235 when first arriving and has now beefed up to 265. However, that hasn’t been his most significant growth during his time as a Sun Devil. The wisdom gained during his half-decade in the program has helped make the heartbreaking news a lot smoother to take down.
“I’ve grown a lot from the coaches we’ve had on staff here to the change that’s happened to the whole environment of college football changing,” Matus said. “I think there’s a whole lot more maturity in myself. I feel like the old grandpa around here now, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I feel very confident in who I am as a player, what I did here as well as what there is still left to be accomplished.”
If the injury had happened two years ago, Matus believes he would be in a different situation now. The news would’ve been too much to bear, but his experiences have gained him insight and maturity, opening his mind to the bigger picture. An ultimatum arose to either “sit in the corner and feel sorry” for himself or lock back in and get the training chugging again.
Matus will have that opportunity to put his stamp for the Sun Devils this season on the sideline instead of on the field, joining the coaching staff for ASU. A moment he’s not going to let go to waste.
“I’m going to enjoy it. I’m going to take full advantage of it. I mean, it’s probably one of the best coaching staffs to be a part of,” Matus said. “I’m going to take every piece of advice that I can from them and help them as much as I can. If there’s any way, shape, or form I can help, it’ll feel good to help. I don’t want to sit on the sidelines and do nothing.”
Edwards called Matus the “eyes in practice.” The respect he has from his peers as a player will be tremendous for those teaching moments. His voice from the sideline will carry heavy into the defensive huddles to make an impact.
The redshirt senior was always in a captain role on the field, teaching players different techniques and maneuvers to win their matchups. It just now becomes more expanded with his injury. Those lessons benefited graduate student defensive lineman Travez Moore, who has tried to duplicate Mutas’ work ethic.
“I compare myself mentally, height, and take down notes of how he just does stuff,” Moore said. “Technique-wise, I pick him apart a lot. I see the way he uses his hands, how he steps, [and] how he uses his reach. I take that from him. I just pay attention to the stuff he does. I copied him.”
Moore joked that Matus hadn’t taught him anything athletic but softened the punchline to emphasize his influence on the field. Except for defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez, Matus has been his most prominent role model and essential to his development as a player. The loss of a significant teammate will hurt, but Moore believes the team is ready for the change.
“I’m prepared for it. All of us are,” Moore said. “Things we’ve been doing in the offseason, things we’ve been doing now, things I’ve been doing. I feel like I’ve prepared for this. I’ve prepared my whole life to step up and be a leader if that’s the case.”
That is the mindset ASU has had as a program throughout fall camp. The coaching staff has made it imperative that from top to bottom, the depth chart becomes filled with plug-in guys who can fill in and have it where there is no drop-off in skills or talent for moments like these.
The defensive line is arguably the most robust position group for the Sun Devils, and despite the devastating loss of Matus, it doesn’t stunt the potential that the group has down in the trenches. ASU has instilled confidence in those players, and Matus is excited to see the result.
“Some of the stuff I preach to you guys is that coach [Rodriguez] has done a phenomenal job of bringing up the younger guys,” Matus said. “As Herm said, ‘you’re one hit away from having to go in the game’ I’m not worried about the guys that we have behind us.
Throughout all his answers, Matus always circled back to highlight how thrilled he was to see players like Moore, Hall, and others get more reps and see what they could do. The selflessness shines through in how he has been able to make a substantial mark on not just his teammates but the program as a whole.
Matus has set a standard and every day tries to raise it by his positive attitude and constant commitment to the mantra of greatest that Edwards and ASU try to enforce. While his playing career is in danger of being over, it hasn’t turned Matus’ smile or his determination to be great, which will be infectious over the team heading into 2022.
