Frisco Reedy tight end Nolan Matthews is one of the newer 2019 targets for Texas Tech and the coaching staff hosted him on campus for an unofficial visit this weekend.
The 6-foot-6, 233-pound prospect recently started hearing from Tech wide receivers coach Emmett Jones.
"I started talking with Coach Jones from Texas Tech this past month," Matthews said. "We mostly started talking and getting to know one another, then he recently invited me to visit the campus. I went out there this weekend and had a really good time.
"I spent most of my time with Coach Jones and there was a very small group of recruits in town, so I'm really glad that I chose this weekend to visit. They took us through the football facilities, the weight room and there were some current players working out on their day off."
Matthews and the other visitors were able to meet former Red Raider and current New England Patriot, Danny Amendola, during the visit.
"The coolest part was that Danny Amendola was in town for the basketball game," Matthews said. "We didn't have a long conversation or anything, but we were touring the facilities and got to meet him. I knew that Tech had a very good background with their offense and the receiver position, but meeting him put a whole different meaning to that for me."
Outside of the football facility, Matthews was able to learn more about the university and how the program supports the student athletes.
"We also met the academic advisors and toured the academic support building where the students get to study, meet with tutors," Matthews said. "The coaches also took us around the campus and gave us a full tour. They asked me about what I wanted to study in college and then took me through the business school. It was impressive, but I need to visit again and learn more about the various options for my major."
Listed as a tight end, Matthews mentioned the Tech coaches see him fitting into a hybrid role within the Red Raiders' offense.
"It was pretty cool because Coach Jones already had a highlight package put together for me and we reviewed how they would use me in their offense," Matthews said. "A lot of what they showed me was plays that Dylan Cantrell made last season. Coach Jones wants to flex me outside and even line me up inside in certain situations.
"We talked about fade routes in the zed zone or going over the middle to move the chains, mostly things like that. It is very similar to how my coaches are using me in high school now and I really liked that part."
Matthews currently holds two (2) offers from Texas State and Howard with several other programs showing interest.
"Coach Jones did talk about a potential offer with me, but he wants to come back down to see me during spring practices and go from there," Matthews said. "It is pretty similar to what a lot of programs want to do, in terms of evaluating me in person this spring. But we did talk about scheduling another visit to Lubbock this spring for a practice and I'm definitely going to attend the scrimmage in Frisco.
"I have already taken a few other visits to Texas State and Oklahoma State. I'm going to take several others this spring too. I have visits or junior days scheduled with SMU, Iowa State, TCU, Tulsa, UTSA. I'm also going back to Oklahoma State and Texas State later this spring."
In terms of the new rules that apply to 2019 recruits, Matthews is going to wait until after his senior season to take his official visits and make a decision.
"I'm somewhat familiar with the new rules, but I have not really had any conversations with coaches about taking visits this spring," Matthews said. "My goal is to wait until after my senior season, see what schools are still showing interest or which schools have offered. From there, I will take my official visits and focus on my top options."
Currently unrated, Matthews finished with 411 yards and five (5) touchdowns receiving this past season.
