2014 BYU Football Newcomers: Matt Sumsion

Leading up to Fall Camp at the end of the month, here at Lawless Republic we will be giving you a daily glimpse at the signees and return missionaries that will be part of the 2014 BYU Football team.

Matt Sumsion

Springville High School, Springville, Utah

Tight End 6-8, 215

Before BYU:

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Sumsion never dreamed of the Friday night lights that most football players grow up thinking of, in fact he never dreamed of anything but playing college basketball. That is until the head football coach at Springville High School noticed the 6-8 All-State basketball stand out, he extended an invite for Matt to come out and give football a try. After joining the team his junior year he saw little playing time at the JV level and no time with the varsity squad.

His high school team visited a BYU football camp following his junior season, he immediately caught the attention of the BYU coaches with his large frame. He continually showed signs of greatness throughout camp and by the end of the week the coaches let him know they would be keeping an eye on him. He continued to develop  through his varsity campaign, racking up 409 yards earning him a special phone call from Bronco Mendenhall. Bronco offered him a scholarship which he promptly accepted just months before leaving to serve a full time LDS mission in Jackson, Missouri.

Expectations in 2014: Redshirt

Matt returned from his mission in November, getting back in shape and climbing up the depth chart for a guy still learning how to play the game is a tall order. He admitted when he accepted his scholarship that he was going to be a work in progress and a redshirt year might be just what he needs to learn and develop under senior Devin Mahina.

Potential at BYU:

The tight end position has been on a real skid since seeing the likes of Jonny Harline and Dennis Pitta come through the program. Coach Anae has mentioned that bringing back the tight end position is one of his main focuses going forward in the “go fast go hard” offense. Sumsion has the size and athleticism to potentially be a Ziggy Ansah type story, after only playing one real year of football before stepping onto campus. I’m not concluding that he will be a top 10 selection in the 2017 NFL draft, but he could shock a lot of people and help the tight end position return to prominence.