Interview: Massive Road Grading 2017 JUCO OG Matthew Tanner Still on the Market

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Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

All offensive linemen at the Division-I level are big boys, some bigger than others. Few are as physically imposing at first sight as Matthew Tanner.

Tanner is at least three games and a spring semester away from walking off the bus on game day for some lucky Division-I program, for now opposing junior college defenses have to endure the pain he unleashes play after play for Eastern Arizona College. The pain is real, as is the humiliation of being pancaked blocked play after play by a 6-foot 7-inch, 345 pound, guard. Once Tanner locks on to a defender, better luck next time for the defense.

The tough play in the trenches by Tanner started out at Bishop Snyder High School in Jacksonville. Diehard Gator fans may remember Tanner well as he was initially targeted to be in Jim McElwain’s first recruiting class in Gainesville as part of the 2015 Top 25 haul. With McElwain’s guidance, Tanner has improved his game and school work at EAC becoming one of the top junior college offensive lineman in the nation.

Florida is still a top target for Tanner but he is keeping his options open receiving offers from Georgia State, Alabama-Birmingham, Louisiana-Monroe, and Mississippi State. Other top programs in search of a physically ready lineman are showing interest. The list includes Central Florida, Texas Tech, and Southern Miss to name a few.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Tanner to go over his sophomore season with EAC while receiving an update on his recruiting process.

Interview

Matthew, it seems like you play with a mean streak college football coaches love to see. What is your mentality on each snap?

“My mentality is to get after the guy in front of me. I play pretty nasty. I want to bury and dominate the guy in front of me. I feel that is the way you should play and that is how I play.”

What are the improvements you have made with your game from your freshman to sophomore season?

“When I first came out here, it was a big change. In high school I was not going up against guys as skilled as I am now. Now I feel like I am coming off the ball harder. I can now handle D-I guys that are Power 5 Conference talents. My technique has increased. My abilities have shot through the roof over the last year.”

What are the key parts of your game that you do well?

“I think one of the biggest strengths of my game is finishing my block. I block to the ground. I do fire off pretty good for my size. I feel like I am quick for my size. I always hit the guy first when I fire off. I’m the one that does the hitting off the snap.”

Are you better at pass set or run blocking?

“Right now we run the triple-option, all we do is run blocking. Out of high school I was good at pass set. Here I have improved on my run blocking. Run blocking is the strongest part of my game now.”

What are you working to improve upon as the season goes along?

“I’ve worked throughout the off-season and into the season on having quicker feet. I’m trying to maintain and increase my speed. Coaches tell me I move well for my size and weight. I keep trying to increase my speed on the field.”

Did you max out in the off-season?

“I did. My squat max is 455, bench is 370, and my power clean is 315.”

Which game has been your best this year?

“Let me see. I think this past Saturday against Scottsdale (won 52-20) was probably one of my best games. That was one of the best conference games for me so far. I felt like on every snap I was coming off and finishing my block. I feel like that was my best so far this season.”

Who is the best player you have gone up against so far in the JUCO ranks?

“The two best players I have gone against in my career are on my team, Malik Young and Walter Palmore. They are two defensive tackles with offers from Alabama and Georgia and those kind of teams. They are ranked in Top 10 as defensive tackles in JUCO. Going up against them has gotten me better. They are tough guys. They’re good guys but tough. They are the two hardest guys I have gone against.”

EAC has three games left against Snow, Phoenix, and Glendale, what kind of challenge do the final three teams present for you?

“For me personally, we need to win the next three to make a bowl game. We have already lost two games. If we lose again we might not make one of the seven bowl games. That is a big challenge for me and for our team. There is a lot riding on these next three games.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?

“Texas Tech, Southern Miss, Florida, Florida Atlantic, and Central Florida. I have a big list. A lot of the schools during the spring time liked my film but I did not have enough film to show them. This fall I have a lot of schools on me wanting tape and my grades.”

Have you taken any official or unofficial visits?

“Over the off-season I visited Mississippi State, Florida, and Central Florida.”

How did the Mississippi State visit go?

“It went well. The coaches invited me to their camp, the Big Dawg Camp. Their offensive line coach wanted to look at me in person to see how I moved and my technique. I met Dan Mullen (head coach) and I saw all the facilities. I was impressed. Mississippi State seems like a great program to play for.”

How did your visit to Florida go?

“It went well. I basically went there to meet with Coach (Mike) Summers (offensive line coach), the offensive coordinator, Coach (Doug) Nusmeier, and Coach (Jim) McEIwain (head coach). I was taken around by a graduate assistant to tour the campus, weight room, and football facilities. That was my most favorite visit yet.”

Did Florida tell you want they are looking for from you or what they wanted to see of you to possibly receiver an offer?

“They are waiting for film from me. From last year I had one minute and 30 seconds worth of film. It was still good enough to get me four offers and it brought in interest. They are waiting on my film and grades to come through. My high school coach is on me. He is great fiends with McEIwain. I’m waiting for film and my grades to come in. I’m going to get on that.”

What is your GPA at EAC?

“I have a 3.0 – 3.1.”

What is your favorite class this semester?

“Geology.”

Is there a player at the next level you like to watch to learn more about the game?

“Right now, Joe Thomas (Cleveland Browns). He’s good. I really don’t watch a lot of NFL, I watch a lot of college. At the college level, I watch Cam Robinson from Alabama. He’s their left tackle.”

Matthew, thank you for your time today and good luck with the final three games of the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; No. 77 Mathew Tanner pre-game warmups.

Photo credit: Tanner family; Matthew Tanner pre-game locker room.