Homedale native Matlock joins Boise State legend Kellen Moore with Chargers
Former Boise State defensive tackle Scott Matlock went from unheralded prospect to NFL Draft pick in the blink of an eye.
He was seen as a likely undrafted free agent a few months ago, but the Los Angeles Chargers picked Matlock with the 23rd pick in the sixth round (No. 200 overall) on Saturday. He’ll join former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, who was hired as the Chargers offensive coordinator earlier this year.
“That’s the G.O.A.T right there, as far as Boise State is concerned,” Matlock said Saturday during a conference call with reporters. “It’s going to be an honor to be around him every day and pick his brain on his journey so far and what he’s learned in his career.”
Boise State has now had at least one player drafted 14 years in a row, dating back to 2010, and multiple players picked in three of the past four years.
Matlock, a 6-foot-4, 296-pound Homedale native, was the second Boise State player drafted this year, following ultra-athletic safety JL Skinner, who went to Denver earlier in the sixth round. He is the first defensive tackle from Boise State to be drafted since the Cleveland Browns picked Billy Winn in the sixth round in 2012.
BOLT UP️ https://t.co/22OBGqijpX
— Scott Matlock (@Scott_Matlock28) April 30, 2023
Matlock went on a Top 30 visit to Los Angeles before the draft, and he said he had a feeling the Chargers were going to take a chance on him.
“I knew they liked me a lot and I felt comfortable there in that environment,” he said. “I had a feeling, but at the end of the day, I was just waiting for the call.”
Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco said Saturday that he was impressed with Matlock’s size and athleticism, both of which he said project well to the NFL.
“He was productive at Boise State,” Telesco said. “He’ll add good depth and have a chance to come in and compete for a role.”
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley called Matlock a “War Daddy.”
“That term applies to him and how he plays and the type of leadership he had at Boise State,” Staley said. “We were able to spend a lot of time with him, and he was awesome in the all-star games. He fits the type of D-lineman we want to play with.”
.@Chargers fans, you got a high motor, physical interior defensive lineman.
Matlock is a powerful, versatile interior penetrator who wins with strong hands and consistent pushback.
Impact player at #ShrineBowl and was well-liked by scouts all draft process. https://t.co/JMIPWp2vsR pic.twitter.com/yaSwpAHBXT— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) April 29, 2023
Matlock said he’s OK with his new moniker because it accurately describes how he wants to play.
“I’m very violent, very physical at the point of attack and someone you definitely have to double (team),” he said. “If you don’t, you’re going to lose.”
Matlock’s draft stock has been on the rise since his senior season ended, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said.
“He’s active with his hands, has some pop and does good job finding his way to the football,” Kiper said on the broadcast. “A lot of teams felt like this is a kid they can develop into a rotational guy right away.”
Matlock competed in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the East-West Shrine game earlier this year, and then he put on a performance of a lifetime at Boise State’s Pro Day in March.
‘Us against the world’: Tragedy bonded Boise State star Scott Matlock and his brother
He posted a personal-best 29 reps on the bench press, which would have tied for No. 3 among defensive tackles at the NFL Scouting Combine. He also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.81 seconds, which would have tied for No. 2 among defensive tackles at Combine.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed. ESPN Draft analyst Todd McShay ranked Matlock No. 10 among defensive tackles. Matlock said he also met with the Patriots, Bengals, Jets and Jaguars before the draft.
Matlock started 32 games at Boise State since 2020. He led the Broncos with seven sacks in 2021, and he finished his college career with 115 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He also caught two touchdown passes as an extra tight end in goal line packages.
He joked during his conference call with reporters that he’s going to lobby Moore to work him into the Chargers’ passing game.
Boise State draft picks since 2010
2010 — DB Kyle Wilson
2011 — WR Titus Young; WR Austin Pettis; DB Brandyn Thompson
2012 — DE Shea McClellin; RB Doug Martin; DE Tyrone Crawford; DB George Iloka; DT Billy Winn; OT Nate Potter
2013 — DB Jamar Taylor
2014 — DE DeMarcus Lawrence; C Matt Paradis; OT Charles Leno
2015 — RB Jay Ajayi
2016 — LB Kamalei Correa; DB Darian Thompson; OT Rees Odhiambo
2017 — RB Jeremy McNichols; LB Tanner Vallejo
2018 — LB Leighton Vander Esch; WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.
2019 — RB Alexander Mattison
2020 — OT Ezra Cleveland; DE Curtis Weaver; WR John Hightower
2021 — TE John Bates; DB Avery Williams
2022 — WR Khalil Shakir
2023 — S JL Skinner; DT Scott Matlock