Matthew Neff '19 Recruiting Profile

    I became passionate about football when I couldn't play.  For two and a half years, I lived overseas where there was no football. When I was younger, I really liked the game. My dad played in college; I watched football all the time, and I very much enjoyed playing. However, I truly realized the intensity of my love for the game when the only football I could get was throwing to the Marines and the U.S. Ambassador, who volunteered to run pass routes for me at the U.S. Embassy where my dad was working.

    My hope for my college experience is to glorify God, get a good education, and continue in the athletic part of my life. I want to major in a form of engineering which gives me the knowledge needed in order to have a fulfilling career in which I can serve my community and the nation. As important as academics are, however, football gives me life lessons and experiences, and it teaches me other things that can't be learned in the classroom. It is my goal to be a complete student-athlete.

    I am confident that I would be a good fit for any school because I am a leader. While overseas, I organized and helped lead a Bible study for the young kids of a church plant started by my family and a group of other families. I encourage my teammates both on and off the field while offering what constructive criticism I may have for them and serving them in any way I can -- some of them call me for my help in tutoring them in various subjects.  I have been blessed with intellect that translates from the classroom to the field. Last year, I attended a National Football Academy (NFA) camp in which I received the highest grade on a coverage recognition test (19/20) they had seen all year for all age groups among their dozens of camps. Finally, I am coachable.  I take criticisms given by coaches and do all that I can to try to fix the errors I make.

    I make a point to try to be the first man on the field before practice and the last one off afterward.  I have worked hard and will continue to do so in order to hone my skills not only on the field, but also in the classroom. Academics are extremely important to me because unfortunately, sports won't last forever. The things that I learn in the classroom and on the football field will help me through all periods of my life. Finally, my faith is the most important thing to me. I trust that God will place me where He wants me to be because all things work together for the good of those who love Him. I want to use the gifts He gave me to glorify Him in the best way possible.