Jake Matthews

strengths

Matthews is quick off the snap and uses his long, strong arms and good mobility to control his opponents when pass blocking. While perhaps not an elite athlete, he plays with the technique and tenacity to make his father proud, controlling opponents with good initial quickness, excellent knee bend and balance and terrific upper-body strength. Matthews is a terrific run blocker. Though athletic enough to surprise defenders with an occasional chop block or slipping out to the second level to nail a linebacker, he's at his best simply driving defensive ends off the ball and creating lanes for A&M's running backs to slice through. Once he gets his hands on his opponent, he exhibits an ability to dictate the matchup. Strong lower-half drive and displays a good understanding of leverage when he can establish low position against thicker defenders.

compares to

Joe Staley, OT, San Francisco 49ers - Though Matthews won't blow anyone away with his athleticism, like Staley he's a sound technician with impressive toughness who exhibits no major weaknesses, and is tough to beat in both facets of the offense.

weaknesses

Matthews can get himself in trouble when he stops moving his feet and his lack of elite foot speed and balance may limit just how high he can go on draft day. At times, he'll bend his arms and lock his knees when opposing a strong bull-rush and appears "light" occasionally in power-on-power situations.

Coached by Robert Crivellari at Elkins High School in Missouri City

consensus All-American (Parade, USA Today, SuperPrep, Rivals.com)

honorable mention all-state pick by the Associated Press

also a first-team all-district, all-greater Houston honoree

chose Texas A&M over offers from Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Oregon, Texas, Texas Tech, USC and Stanford.

Jacob Matthews is the son of Carrie and Bruce Matthews of Sugar Land, Texas

born February 11, 1992

father, Bruce, was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2007 after an illustrious 19-year career with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans

older brother, Kevin, was a two-year starter at center for the Aggies (2008-09)

hasn't declared a major.