Full Name:
Fred Matua
School: USC Pos: G
Ht: 6-2.5 Wt: 306 40: Year: 4Jr
Bio: Three-year starter at right guard. All-Conference selection as a
junior.
Pos: Explosive run-blocking lineman who is best in a small area. Quick
off the snap, jolts opponents at the point then turns them off the line. Plays
with a nasty disposition. Always looking for someone to hit and works well with
teammates.
Neg: Lacks footwork in space, does not block with balance and cannot
redirect to linebackers on the second level.
Analysis: An arm wrestler who opens holes for the running game, Matua
is a solid second-day pick who will flourish in a power running offense.
How he fits in with Detroit: If you draft a player that was projected
to go in the third or fourth round with the 217th overall pick, you have
yourself a legitimate steal -- regardless of how he progresses from that point.
The Lions plucked their offensive tackle in fifth-rounder Jonathan Scott, but
the need for a guard was also prevalent, and Matua is a Godsend in the seventh.
An aggressive athlete that admittedly plays the game with a "mean streak", Matua
forfeited his final year of eligibility to enter the draft. Why his stock slid
isn't quite known, but expert analysts don't typically laud any players drafted
in the final two rounds.
"For a guy over 300 pounds to run a 40-yard dash in a theoretical time under
five seconds, he made himself a lot of money and will shoot up draft boards,”
said NFL draft guru Gil Brandt on Matua.
Matua will battle for a roster slot with veterans such as newcomer Rex Tucker, including any additional undrafted free-agents brought in prior to camp,
but if he can perform at the level many pegged him at leaving the prestigious
Trojans, he might end up becoming the S.O.D. (Steal of the Draft).
Below are two exclusive, pre-draft interviews conducted with Matua from our
friends at ColtPower.com, part of the Scout.com Network:
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Hot Prospect Q&A: Fred Matua
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Fred Matua: "This Ain't No Walk
in the Park"