Mathews chooses Purdue
-
- May
- 19
Remember that big football recruiting news I said I’d have to share at some point? Well, here it finally is.
Fox Lane star quarterback Mike Mathews told me tonight that he has officially decided to attend Purdue University as a “preferred walk-on,” choosing the Big Ten power over Syracuse and Delaware.
In case you don’t know what a “preferred walk-on” is, it’s a player who has been recruited to a school and assured a spot on the roster for the upcoming season. However, they will not receive a scholarship, at least not right away.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Mathews, a four-year starter at Fox Lane, will red shirt this fall at Purdue, which is coming off an 8-5 season and Motor City Bowl victory.
In January, Mathews was intent on going to Syracuse before having, what he called, a “change of heart.” He was accepted at Purdue this past week and was ready to commit — but the interest from Delaware (I-AA) grew stronger at the same time. He took an extra few days to ponder the decision before settling on Purdue.
“Purdue is in the Big Ten and plays teams like Michigan and Ohio State,” he said. “That’s pretty sick.”
Mathews began last season at St. Thomas Aquinas H.S. in Florida before returning to Fox Lane by the start of the year. He guided the Foxes to the Section 1 Class A championship — easily the most competitive conference last season — and threw for 1,030 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Obviously, Purdue is a whole different level.
The Boilermakers have produced several big time quarterbacks, including Drew Brees and Kyle Orton, in the last 10 years. They have another one in Curtis Painter, who’ll likely be a first round NFL draft pick next year. There are currently five quarterbacks on the Purdue roster entering the preseason, three of which are seniors.
Mathews understands he’ll have to be patient.
“I know it’s going to be tough to get in the mix early on,” said Mathews, who also visited Florida Atlantic, Florida International and Buffalo. “It will probably be junior or senior year. I’ll have to be patient.”
This is obviously a great opportunity for Mathews, who has dreamed of playing big-time college football all of his life. But this is just as big a deal for football players all over the Lower Hudson Valley.
Why? Answer this: Who was the last quarterback recruited to play major Division I football from this area? It’s been a while. We’ve had plenty of quarterback who’ve put up big numbers and had the size and arm strength. But few ever get a shot like this, even as a “preferred walk-on.”
Brian Cummings of Iona Prep played at Maryland in the late-90s, and Nealon Greene of Lincoln went to Clemson. Quarterbacks simply don’t come out of this area very often. There haven’t even been that many from Rockland who attended Jersey high schools.
Mathews has a chance to change that. By his senior, maybe even junior, season, he’ll get a chance to compete for a starting job. If he earns it, it might open the door for recruits. If he’s really successful, it could impact recruitment of players at any position. That’s a long way away.
We’ve heard all the success stories of the past, most notably how Ray Rice was only offered one scholarship out of high school. Don’t forget, too, that Geoff McDermott was barely on anyone’s radar as a football player during his career. It wasn’t until he exploded as a basketball recruit that college football coaches realized what a special athlete he was. Then they came calling. Ray and Geoff changed the perception a bit, but not nearly enough.
If you’re a true football fan, a player or a parent of a player coming up, you should be rooting for Mathews to be successful in college. Personally, I thought he was pound-for-pound the best football player in Section 1 this season, and one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever covered. If he can’t make it as a quarterback, I don’t know who from this area can.
This entry was posted
on Monday, May 19th, 2008 at 9:08 pm by Kevin Devaney Jr..
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I wish the young man all the best. I feel he would have been better suited (more PT) at Delaware. The Big 10 is no joke. Perdue is generally the 4th-5th best team in that Conference (Ohio St, Michigan, Penn St, Illinois). They will continue to recruit highly rated QB's. Also Perdue HC Joe Tiller has already announced his predecessor. So MM will be going through a regime change. Delaware is a perennial Top 10 (Div 1-AA) team. Their QB last year (Flacco) was taken in the first round of this years draft by the Ravens. I guess all this is a learning experience though. If it doesn't work out he can always transfer. He has experience at that.
Was he offered a scholarship from Delaware or would he still have gone to the school as a "preferred walk-on?"
Purdue is definitely gonna be in flux with the new coach comin in next year. Matthews is going to a situation where the QBs are the focal point of the offense and where there are a few QB 's on rosters in the NFL now. Painter is considered by many to be the # 1 pick in next years draft. I do think that Delaware would have been a better fit, but they have D1 transfers coming in every year and the talent is strong as well. How does Cuse let Sullivan/Paulus last year, MAtthews this year slip through their hands?
Another QB with a big gun and lots of potential is the junior from suffern, Aviles….
Alum
I was able to watch Matthews against Eastchester in a sectional game last year, a great talent and real strong upside. If not for a better WR's at Fox Lane he would of had even better stats. His WR's couldn't catch a pass!
Best of luck!
Yeah, poor Syracuse. The only "Major" Div 1-A school in NY (sorry Buffalo and Army) and they let the best in-state talent leave every year. Rutgers has been the biggest beneficiary of that situation. The 'Cuse showed a little improvement last year but they're still far away from a return to Big East glory.
KEVIN,
Where is PEREZ from Ossining going to school? Not sure if academics are a problem or not, but if they are/werent a problem, how good of a school can he play at?
Yeah, Matthews really looked like the best player, pound for pound, when Ossining and Jajuan Perez spanked the hell out of him and the Foxes in the Sectional Championship.
I wish the kid well. But please keep in mind, the diffrence between section one football and a major confrence D1 football program is as wide as the atlantic ocean. Just ask Sammy Maldanado. Also, he is a walk on with no garuntee of making the team. I'm sure they have all state Quarterbacks from high school hot beds sitting in waiting. As for Syracuse letting talent slip through thier hands. I know they recrutied Paulus hard and lost to Duke. Thats a no brainer there. If they thought Mathews was worth offering a spot to, they would have, beleive me. I hope things work out for him.
Kevin,
I'm hearing that this fall is the last year Mahopac will be hosting section 1 champioonship games. The venue
is changing to WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL in 09? any truth
to this one!
Glad to see that the majority of school budgets passed. Now teams can get down to hiring staff and preparing for the upcoming season. It's a sad way to do business but that's the way in todays world. And Old School….. someone mentioned Perez was going to a JuCo on this blog awhile back. i do not know if thats true but i know i read it on here.
Hey Kevin, there is a freshman at Rye named Connor Eck, Jordan Ecks brother. He could quite possibly be a D1 recruit by the end of his senior year. He is about 6'2 right now and will only get bigger and better as he grows and matures. He will be competing for this years Rye's coveted QB Posotion. Imagine how much pressure that would be one the kid. Having a senior laden team with States on there mind breathing down your neck to not make one mistake is a lot of pressure to handle. If he handles it i think that would be a huge step for this kid and impress colleges throughout. His Dad was the starting QB for Virginia in the 80's since his freshmen season so he has the football genes and obviously his brother has mentored him throughout the years. Im telling you watch out for this kid.
connor eck is wack. i played against him last year nd he wasnt anything special. they got a sophomore kid named remy pinson whos a much better player than him so he probably wont even see the field until hes a senior
s1…i hope you remember that comment for the next 2 years, you will be suprised at what this kid can do…connor eck, garunteed, will be the next big thing. d1 recruit in the making. I cant describe to you how good this kids gonna be. He'll be better then his brother and his dad. S1 you are going to feel very stupid 2 years from now.
wow big stuff can you elaborate on how you played him. During this past JV season? I'm sure you know on how he peformed during his 5 weeks on the varsity this past season right? HAHA just stop making dumb comments. He will be the starting QB for Rye next year. No matter who starts for Rye next Rye, they will demolish everyone they face. They return everyone except Jordan Eck (QB). They won a state title i think with a combined 16 Juniors starting or playing lots of minutes and Add a 6'2 280 Pound Lineman that was unable to play this year and bring alot of sizable players from a 7-0 JV team.
how do they return everyone except for jordan? they lose their entire line including defensive line specialists matt dunn and the huge kid who played nose tackle…they also lose bonsall and gordon, their two defensive backs and wide receivers
I meant to say they reruen everyone except a few solid players. Theres a kid who backed Bonsall last year and was a great reciever and DB. Bonsall quoted to saying that this kid is better than any reciever he faced all year. So WR wont be a problem, They lose Matt Dunn? WOw? he wasnt anything special anyway and the big kid will be filled with the 6'2 280 linemen.
Rye Returns a core of their reigning state champ team. They return the four captain Ryan Rossi a solid center, Kyle Ramalho 5'11 240 a All state Work horse FB/DE who is getting several college looks, Pat O'callahan a solid athlete, and Donald Keough a Great 6'3 195 TE/LB. They also return their whole backfield in fast Tail back Luke O'malley. They bring back the hard hitting always entertaing trio of Antico, Ramsey and Triano a scary trio i might add. Teams dont want to be reminded of those three last names again. Also Returning is Robert Santangelo a solid 5'10 235 DT/Offensive Guard and Tackle. They return Speedster Johnny Santoro, and Sophomore Guard Charlie Rollins 6'3 220. They bring back a Dtackle that started some of the year in 6'3 225 Malcolm Walker. Those are just a couple of returners to Rye that are looking to get back to the dome and make an impact in the season. This team will be amazing believe me. Good Luck to al the teams this UPCOMING SEASON and good luck to Sleepy Hollow and PS thanks for letting us get past the section 1 game and a chance to get that ring it was so gracious of you guys.
Rye Fan
Will Rye be attending the Iona Camp like last year with New Rochelle?
everyones just on that kid cuz of who his brother is but hes just an average player whos gettin hyped up to be somethin hes not. that bein said, it probably wont even matter as rye will continue to win section championships and even state championships if that kid is even half of wat hes expected to be
Yes Iona Power Rye will attend the Iona Camp in June looking to dominate.
Rye would be a .500 team in Class AA
rye dominating in the Iona camp is very unlikely. Last year new rochelle's second team scored on them twice. and held them to one touchdown.
Rye Fan
I see you are pretty confident that Rye would dominate Iona Prep and New Rochelle- Last Year Iona Prep and New Rochelle handled Rye rather easily. Class B Football is not on the same level as CHSFL AAA and Class AA. Playing the likes of Pleasantville and Byram Hills is much different than the Schedules of Iona and New Rochelle.
Its interesting to note that of the four Westchester players who played QB at Division 1A schools, two of them were at Purdue. Nealon Greene and Brian Cummings were both excellent QB's – they may actually have been in the same year('94?). Besides Mathews, Greene and Cummings, the 4th guy I can remember was Chuck Piebes from Westlake who played QB and DB at Purdue in the early 70's. Before being switched to DB his last couple years, Piebes QB'd Purdue to a win over Notre Dame on national TV. My memory may just be especially spotty, but I can't remember any other major college QB's out of Westchester. Anyone remember someone I'm forgetting?
Think what you guys want to think, i've been watching rye football for a long time and they arent your ordinary Class B small school team. They can stick with anyone and with Dino Garr at the heald they will always be able stick with anyone no matter how many kids are in the school. I think there is this stereotype that small schools can't compete with the big boys but its wrong and i dont think Scrimmages are a good barometer of how good a team is. Coaches usually test players out in scrimmages and i think in a real game with Iona Prep or New rochelle would hold there own, this is my oponion but i think its a fair assumption rye would compete with these teams and probably be at the top of AA and CHSFL
Rye Fan,
I mean no disrespect, but it seems that while you've been watching Rye football for many years you haven't been watching much of the New Rochelle's and Iona Prep's of the world. I have a great deal of respect for Rye's program. They are clearly one of the top class B programs in New York State. I do think that in a good year, Rye could probably compete well against the middle of the pack AA schools and some of the CHSFL teams. However, to say Rye would "be at the top of AA and CHSFL" is likely wishful and possibly hallucinogenic thinking.
Rye Fan
Your response to a question that I asked was the following
"Yes Iona Power Rye will attend the Iona Camp in June looking to dominate".
Like I said in the previous post the level of competition of Class B is bo where near the competition of Iona and New Rochelle- Look at the teams that New Rochelle and Iona Prep play year in and year oout-(Monrow Woodbury, North Rockland, St. Anthony, Chaminade, Farrell, and Mount St. Michael)
By the way back in January Kevin Devaney had a post indicating that Iona Prep had an open date to start the season and was looking fro anyone in section 1 to play including Rye. Iona Prep will now play New Caneen who is the large school defending state champion in CT.
I just want to get my two cents in, rye would compete and can compete in the upper echelon of Class AA and CHSFL. Im not a rye fan and have been to some games, they are a classic power team with good coaching and solid athletes. They play smart and disciplined football and know the game of football really well. Well see in this years scrimmage i can't wait to see it.
Im not a rye fan, but they would with a good team even for them, win a section 1 Class AA title. i am confident they could beat JJ and. NEw Ro im not so sure about. i think rye will win a state championship next year. they will blow by most teams. Harrison will once again prove to be a tough game. everyones talking about how great rye will be, when i hate to say it, but harrison might be better next year. they return 2 D-1 recruits (most likely), Claudio Dellicarpini and Justin segal. Jeremy burnett their RB will ahve a HUGE year. the skill players are definetely there. the line will consist of mostly 6'0 to 6'1 265 pd. plus kids. they will have one kid who is 6'3 275 playin this year. i cant wait for next years game.
i do feel like some rye fans are elaborating next years team a bit, they are graduating all their stars except ramalho, in reality alot of their of their starters next year willl be untested. they will ahve a good team tho. i wish they would move up a class tho, im sick of them dominating the likes of yonkers, nanuet, byram hills etc.
also, harrison had a crop of freshmen on varsity this past season that all came from a modified team that went 12-0 in 2 seasons. they include some sizable players who willl contribute next year and star in years to come. am i the only one noticing how good harrison will be next year.
How are the Rye fans exagerating their team next year. It seemed like they just layed down the facts of whos returning and whos not. Im sure their team will dominate and i cant wait too see them at Iona Prep in june.
all i said was that that rye will be good to great next year and they will win a state championship. they jus have a crop of untested players, mayb they will dominate too. im also jus pointin out harrison will have a team to compete with rye next year.
Joe
The facts are that Rye did NOT dominate New Rochelle and Ioan Prep last year at the Iona Camp and they WILL NOT dominate these teams this year- Iona Prep has some of the best skill position players returning in Jeffrey Mack and Darlos James and New Rochelle has a great QB in McGhee.
By the way both the freshman and sophomore classes at New Rochelle and Iona Prep were loaded with talent and excelled last year against MUCH STRONGER COMPETITION THAN RYE!!!!!
Westchester Football- Scrimmages aren't the greateast barometer for how a team is going to do against another team. If you knew a thing about football which you don't because your an arrogant bum with no knowledge you would know that. Do you think Dino Garr is putting all of his best executed plays out there for team to scout no i dont think so. Since rye is playing P-Ville this year first game of the season do you think they want p-ville to know all of their plays. I wonder how dumb a person could be.
as i look at all the posts concerning football on kevins blog. it seems like every one is ruined by rye fans making an argument of them against the world. do u c fans of other schools primed for good seasons next year doin this. Do u c fans of somers, John jay,
Harrison ( which i hope beats the snot out of that arrogant rye team.) just bragging all day.
Ya one post by an iona guy braggin jus to get back at a rye fan. Edison above me was jus explaining that Harrison will have the athletes and size to compete with rye next year. He was probably sick of hearin rye fans talk. To all rye fans, we kno u r good at football so jus stop.
why do the rye fans say they are returning all their stars. they lose gordon,eck, dunn, aaron walker, bonsall, fulmer. all the stars except ramalho. rye is reloading, not returning players for next year. Harrison is returning and reloading. Justin segal, 5'11 215 best LB and Fb in section 1. Claudio Dellicarpini, 6'2 190 best WR and athlete in section 1. Jeremy Burnett, 6'0 195 RB, DE, will explode on both sides of the ball. Mike protano 6'0 270 comin back. rob jones 6'0 265 for the line come back. from JV they bring a 6'3 275 kid with great feet. and a 6'1 270 kid. thye will have sophomores who were freshmen on varsity lat year after an 8th grade who will contribute or play bigger roles. trust me harrison will be dangerous to rye next year.
and i think they will win section 1 class A
Harrison fan ur a bumb best FB in the section Ramalho will knock segal on his butt. Rye brings back there whole team face it RYE WILL BEAT HARRISON FOR IT's sixth straight year.
I wish Mike Matthews the best. No only have there not been QB's from Westchester who have not made it on the D1 level, there are many good RB's who didn't make it. I can remember 2 from the 70's. Joe Holland & Ron DeMarco. Holland of Roosevelt ( Yonkers ) went to Michigan were he saw no playing time as a freshman before transferring to Cornell. He became a starter immediately at Cornell and also was a great student. DeMarco
( Cardinal Spellman ) went to North Carolina after leading the Catholic High School League in rushing. He was # 5 on the depth chart playing behind the likes of Amos Lawrence and others. I hope he can prove me wrong and compete at this level, but I think Delaware would've been a better choice.
There are way to many ignorant rye fans on here they just don't listen.
edison,
Claudio Dellicarpini is barley a d1 player. And segal isn't one at all. He should stick to lacrosse.
i will speak for edison here, Claudio dellicarpini is the best WR in section and will be attending Rutgers to play football. Justin Segal is on the Syracuse watch list along with dellicarpini that includes only a handful of section1 guys. Segal is ranked ahead of Lombardo (Somers) as the best LB in section 1 Class A. He is the hardest hitter in section1. In a day that Harrison didnt impress, the rye game this year, Segal impressed me. He was all over the field, interception, a sack on eck, he hammered their RB's. Joe i hope u eat ur words, im not sayin harrison will for sure beat rye, like ur sayin but vice versa, but they have good chance. Ive seen their spring practices so far. They look good, they got size, speed and a QB ready to step up. i hope they beat rye into a pulp and put them into their rightful place. O ya and segal will knock Ramalho out.
I wish Matthews luck, despite the fact i think he should attend Delaware, going to a big 10 school means he'll probably not have much of a career. But who knows, at LSU and Michigan, there are walk-ons and ivy league transfers competing for the starting jobs. As for this Harrison-Rye feud that seems to have taken over the blogs. Just relax. Harrison and Rye are both returning formidable teams next year. I boldly predict Harrison takes down rye next year on their home turf by a TD or less. Although i do think rye will win a state championship.
You people are a crazy Segal got his ass rocked in the 2006 game when Ramalho was a Sophomore and Segal was a sophomore. Rye will not lose to Harrison. They will make a statement by winning 21-7 I believe. That is my prediction. This Rye team is too experienced and determined to lose.
Segal did not get his ass rocked in the 2006 game, when Segal started for a State championship worthy team as a sophomore. and i think everyone knows harrison was better than rye that year, they just slipped up badly and still only lost by a point. I dont even remember ramalho from the 2006 game. if ramalho wasnt a 250 pound peice of lard playing RB, kno1 would even kno who he is. Segal will rock Ramalho next year. anyways Harrison will beat rye next year. you obviously dont know who jeremy burnett is and he will blow by rye next year. The line will be big and quick. Dellicarpini is the best SE in section1, enough said, their new QB phil dillulio is ready. they also have a great supporting cast of juniors comin back. My prediction, Harrison 24 Rye 18. Harrison gains its 42nd win over rye next year.
Harrison fan your a joke … watch the game film if you really want to see Segal getting knocked on his ass in that GAME. JUST Stop talking U HARRISON Mofioso your a bumb with no knowledge of the game. KEvin could you please get some input on this.
I played against both this past year at Iona camp and champion camp. Segal wasn't bad, he just wasn't that good.Maybe he got better as the season went on I really don't know. And just because you fill out a questionaire for syracuse doesn't mean they are recruiting you. Nothing against Segal. Ramalho is a better player than segal. If I havd to make a prediction on who would knock who on there ass. I mean its a no brainier. And also Dellicarpini is not the best wr in section 1.However You can defiantly make an argument for top 3.
Best of hope to Matthews, hope at some point later in his career he gets some success, who knows, he may start some day. But that doesn't seem to be the main topic on this post anymore. The harrison-rye battle is on again. Im siding with Harrison b/c i hate all rye people who try to start fights on these blogs. Im sure Harrison Fan is pissed off at all the rye people who just talk about how perfect their little town and team are. Now as a Fox Lane fan i would usually not root for Harrison, but i hope they pummel rye. Oh and to settle one stupid petty argument, Ramalho is a better player on offense, Segal is the better player on defense.
Fox Lane Fox u make some sense. o and Syracuse will be recruiting segal, the I, r u a player on new ro?? and Joe…just leave.
not a player anymore.
amen to that Fox Lane Fox, I would like to see Rye eat their own expensive turf at the hands of Harrison. Harrison Fan tell it like it is.
I can not wait for this years Rye Harrison game at John Nugent Stadium. Even though im rooting for Rye i wish Harrison the best and am already looking forward to this game. Everyone talks about the trenches and skilled players is where the game will be won or lost. But i think the Linebackers for Rye and harrison will decide the game. Both have amazing cores of Linebackers. Rye's got Keough, Santangelo, Antico. While Harrison has Burnett and Segal. Also they have Jaffe who is solid but not nearly as good as the other five i mentioned. It will be a battle like usual and believe there wont be a blowout. Last years 27-7 game wasnt even close to a blow out and a matter a fact Harrison was up 7 at half. And in 2006 in one of the most memorable Rye harrison Games, a 19-18 rye victory in front of 10-12,000. Love this game but i wish everyone luck.