Matt Rhule Adopting Baylor Mentality In Carolina
While with the Baylor Bears, former head coach Matt Rhule found a level of success that few had been able to find in Waco.
One part of that success was the culture that he developed within the program. The biggest factor, however, was his recruiting approach, which provided a blueprint for programs across the country to succeed despite being outmatched in resources by traditional powers.
“We realized pretty early we weren’t going to beat the likes of Texas and Oklahoma in recruiting,’’ Rhule told reporters this week. “So we were going to find the biggest, fastest, most explosive guys we could, and then guys like [defensive coordinator] Phil Snow would teach them the game.’’
Rhule was able to do just that in the 2022 edition of the NFL Draft last month, with the Panthers landing some very intriguing prospects on days two and three.
Chief among those prospects was Matt Corral, who at times was thought to be the top passer in the draft class and was available for Rhule in Round 3.
However, without a fifth-round selection, the search was on for players who could contribute early in rounds four and six.
And the Panthers once again found some prospects that fit that mold, selecting Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith in the fourth round and Virginia Tech defensive end Amare Barno and Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays in the sixth round -- each of whom possesses some intriguing traits.
“Once you get to the fourth, fifth, sixth rounds you try to find guys that have a unique skill and unique ability you can utilize,’’ Rhule said.
Either way, Rhule is taking a familiar blueprint, and molding it to fit his new situation.
Target traits, rather than pedigree, and use your ability to develop to get them ready for the next level.
“Our mindset is to get guys in here that are big, fast, athletic, rangy, find the right positions for them,’’ Rhule said. “It might be a tall receiver, it might be a red zone threat ... or it might be guys like Amare and those guys who are big, fast, explosive and can run.’’
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Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of InsideTheBears.com, TheGroveReport.com, RamDigest.com, AllSeahawks.com, and TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com