Panthers Select Yetur Gross-Matos with No. 38 pick in NFL Draft

Matt Rhule build defense with by drafting Yetur Gross-Matos on Friday night

Sports Illustrated | Apr 24, 2020

The Carolina Panthers selected DE Yetur Gross-Matos with the No. 38 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Gross-Matos was born in New Jersey but his family moved when he was young and he went to school at Chancellor High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia. A terror to opposing quarterbacks, Gross-Matos was a four-star recruit and finished his high school career with 37 sacks.

Gross-Matos was a highly-touted prospect coming out of high school. He had offers from some of the top football programs in the country, including Alabama and Clemson. He ultimately decided to commit to Penn State, making his decision official in February of 2016. As a true freshman Gross-Matos recorded 17 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery for the Nittany Lions in 2017.

Stepping up big time, Gross-Matos had 54 tackles (36 solo) eight quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles during his sophomore season. After posting 9.5 sacks, plus 15 tackles for loss in 2019, Gross-Matos earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors as a junior.

A big man on the defensive line, Gross-Matos is 6-foot-5 and 266 pounds with long 34 7/8-inch arms. He uses all of that to his advantage when attacking the quarterback and stopping the run. He’s more than just a power player, though. Gross-Matos has excellent athleticism off the ball and a nice toolbox of pass-rushing moves. Penn State used him as an interior rusher at times with success.

Here’s why SI’s Kevin Hanson ranked Gross-Matos as the No. 31 overall player on his big board:

With his length, agility and first step, Gross-Matos has been a productive pass-rusher for Penn State with 17 sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss combined over the past two seasons.

2019 stats (Junior; Penn State): 23 solo tackles, 40 total tackles, 9 sacks (11 games)

2018 stats (Sophomore; Penn State): 36 solo tackles, 54 total tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles (13 games)

2017 stats (Freshman; Penn State): 5 solo tackles, 17 total tackles, 1.5 sacks (10 games)

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Published Apr 24, 2020