Film Room: Noah Matthews

Kentucky is usually good for at least one late Signing Day surprise. In 2022, that came from Bridgeville (Del.) Woodbridge EDGE Noah Matthews.

After hosting the unranked player in the On3 Consensus and former Weber State commit for an official visit last weekend, the Wildcats beat out Illinois for a signature on Wednesday. Defensive coordinator Brad White scores another recruiting win in Delaware as the Wildcats look to add depth at outside linebacker.

Now step into the KSR Film Room to see what the latest signee will be bringing to the defensive operation in Lexington.

At 6-5 and 250 pounds, Noah Matthews currently feels like somewhat of a tweener for Kentucky’s 3-4 scheme. The unranked prospect could play EDGE or bulk up and slide down to defensive end. Either way, the young defender must be able to strike and play the run.

Off the snap, Matthews lands inside on the strike, and inside hands always win. After the punch, the defensive end gets some extension and immediately gets his eyes on the football. From there, Matthews is in total control and disengages from the block to create a run stuff.

Striking and getting off blocks is key to succeeding at the next level. Matthews flashes that on tape.

As an edge rusher, Noah Matthews appears to have the length, burst, and frame to develop into something. However, there is not much of an arsenal currently for the rising senior. On tape, Matthews is heavily dependent on power but flashes some good play strength.

As an edge rusher, Matthews goes directly to power with a bull rush on the left tackle. Once again, the defender wins the inside hands battle on the strike and that puts him in control. He creates a pressure by bulling the tackle back into the quarterback’s throwing lane and that creates an errant throw.

At the next level, Matthews can work on the intricacies of the pass rush and learn different setup moves. However, his power will be the foundation of it all and something blockers will have to deal with.

To play at the next level, there needs to be a certain level of athletic juice. The strength opponent is key to handling big blockers, but defenders must be able to get good athletes on the ground in space. Burst is needed to close ground. Noah Matthews has some of that.

On the scramble drill, Matthews trails the quarterback and then sees a window when the play goes back to the left. The prospect shows terrific short-area burst and finishes with a big quarterback sack. That explosiveness combined with power give Matthews to big traits to work off of at Kentucky.

Noah Matthews seems like a bit of a tweener, but after watching the tape all signs point to the class of 2022 signee being an EDGE for Kentucky. Currently, the Wildcats only have four scholarship players in White’s position room and need some depth. Matthews will give them that.

With length, size, power, and short-area quickness, the traits are there for this unrated prospect to turn into something. Matthews will need time to develop, but the Northeast recruit has some tools.