Michael Mathewes

Wyoming

Sep 20 (Sat)

8:15 p.m.

Photo by: Tony Harman

Position:
Outside Linebacker
Height:
6-4
Weight:
240
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Mission Viejo, Calif.
High School:
Mission Viejo

Last updated on May 10, 2018

AT COLORADO: Note—Opted to forego his senior year of eligibility and graduate in four years.

2017 (Jr.)—He played in eight games, seeing the bulk of his action on the back end of the season … He finished with 10 tackles (five solo), with a pass broken up in 128 snaps from scrimmage … After playing in just two games in the first seven of the year (and four total snaps), he became a regular in the rotation at outside linebacker, appearing for a career-high 40 plays at Washington State (where he has one solo stop and the PBU) … Had a season-high four tackles (one solo) in the season finale at Utah, where was in for 31 snaps from scrimmage … Had two tackles (one solo, one assist) in both the Arizona State and USC games … Also had four knockdown blocks on special teams return duty on the kickoff return unit.

2016 (Soph.)—He played in two games (Idaho State and Oregon State) totaling a combined 15 plays on defense … Was credited with one tackle on the year, which went for a third-down stop, and one quarterback pressure.

2015 (Fr.-RS)—He played in nine games, six on defense including one start (against Nicholls State) … Was in for 84 snaps and recorded eight tackles (seven solo, including a quarterback sack) … Also had a tackle for zero gain, a third down stop, a forced fumble and a pass broken up … The bulk of his action (35 snaps) came in the Nicholls game, when he logged a career/season high six tackles (five solo) along with his sack and caused fumble … He also had two solo tackles against Massachusetts … He played 29 snaps on the field goal/PAT unit on special teams … Won the Iron Buffalo Award for the linebackers during spring practice, which recognizes hard work, dedication, toughness and total lifting performance.

2014 (Fr.)—Redshirted; he practiced all fall at defensive end and dressed for the first two games of the season.

HIGH SCHOOL—As a senior, he earned first-team All-State (Division I) honors from Max Preps (third-team from Cal-Hi Sports), in addition to also being named first-team All-CIF Southern Section All-Pac 5 Division and to the Los Angeles Times All-Area and the Orange County Register All-County teams as well as Mission Viejo’s Most Valuable Player … A first-team All-South Coast League performer, he was selected as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year … A two-year starter at defensive end, he had a banner senior season, living in the backfield of the opponent as evidenced by his 26 tackles for loss, including 14 quarterback sacks, among his approximate 60 tackles for the year … He also had two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, a handful of passes broken up and an interception that he returned for touchdown … He had one of his best career games as a prep in a 28-25 win over New Jersey’s Don Bosco Prep, as he was named the Rivalry Series MVP for what one game accounts claimed “wreaking havoc all day in the backfield, with his size giving Bosco’s line problems all night.” … As a junior, when he earned second-team All-League honors in addition to earning the Future Pride of the Diablos Award, he was in on approximately 50 tackles, with 11 sacks and two fumble recoveries … He saw limited action as a sophomore, as he played on the junior varsity team during the regular season but was called up to the varsity for the CIF playoffs … On offense, he started at offensive tackle the last few games of his junior year and the entire season as a senior, though he also played some spot tight end and fullback in blocking situations … Under coach Bob Johnson, MVHS was 11-1 his junior and senior seasons, winning the South Coast League title both years and reaching the Southern Section quarterfinals … The team was 10-3 his sophomore year, claiming the lead title and reaching the section semifinal … Lettered twice in wrestling, competing as a heavyweight as a senior (10-3 record; he was the Sea View League champion and finished eighth in his CIF section) … Also lettered three times in track (throws); he owned a career best of 58-0 in the shot put (he was fifth in his CIF section and seventh in CIF Masters as a senior) … Served as a team captain for all three sports he participated in at Mission Viejo.

ACADEMICS—He is earned his bachelor's degree in business management, graduating from Colorado on May 10, 2018 … He earned honorable mention Pac-12 All-Academic Team honors as a junior (2017) … In high school, he was selected as one of the National Football Foundation’s (Orange County Chapter) Scholar-Athlete award winners; he was also a member of the Principal’s Honor Roll all four years as he owned a 3.8 grade point average as a prep.

PERSONAL—He was born Aug. 18, 1995 in Mission Viejo, Calif. … Hobbies include playing the guitar, spending time at the beach and playing most sports … A cousin on his mother’s side, Henrik Thomsen, was a Scandinavian champion who was just shy of qualifying for the Olympics in the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling … He is active in his community, and his high school team has volunteered annually for a local 10-kilometer that serves as a fundraiser for pediatric cancer. (Last name is pronounced Mathews.)