Penn State DE Yetur Gross-Matos drafted by Carolina: Here’s what the Panthers are getting
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos declared early for the NFL draft — and now he’ll be playing early for the Carolina Panthers, under fellow Penn State alum and head coach Matt Rhule.
The junior was widely regarded as a first-round talent but instead fell to the second round Friday night, as Carolina chose him No. 38 overall during the 2020 NFL draft. He’s expected to start from Day 1, especially with the Panthers having the league’s worst run defense one year ago. (Five of their defensive linemen also left in the offseason: Gerald McCoy, Donatri Poe, Vernon Butler, Mario Addison, Bruce Irvin.)
Gross-Matos didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, but the 6-foot-5 and 266-pound prospect is known for his quickness and athleticism. He’s fast off the edge, finishing 10th all-time in the school record books with 19 career sacks and 11th with 37 tackles for loss.
And both his teammates and coaches have said the Panthers are getting an elite work ethic, too.
“When you have a great player such as him, you might not think he has to work hard,” junior defensive tackle PJ Mustipher said. “But he is probably one of the hardest workers on this team. He comes to work every day with his mind made up that he’s going to get better. He takes football and what he does very seriously.”
Added defensive coordinator Brent Pry, in a separate interview: “He’s arguably our best worker, maybe on our entire football team.”
Despite seeing added attention during his junior campaign, Gross-Matos’ sack total still rose — to 9.5 sacks from eight the previous season. (His tackles for loss did decrease, however, from 20 to 15.) And he remained a fan favorite throughout his college career.
Gross-Matos’ moving personal story captured the attention of the college football world, as the Centre Daily Times first reported the story and ESPN.com gave it a national platform. Gross-Matos’ biological father died saving him from drowning at 24 months old, and Gross-Matos’ older brother died tragically in 2009 when he was struck by lightning at a 12-year-old Little League game.
Gross-Matos witnessed the whole thing. He wore No. 55 in high school to honor his brother but was forced to take another number, 99, in college.
It’s unknown what number the 22-year-old will wear at the next level, but one thing is for sure: Gross-Matos’ best football is ahead of him.
“What I’ve been telling all the people I’ve talked to is his best football is ahead of him,” head coach James Franklin said. “He’s another guy that didn’t get to run at the combine. I think he would’ve run a good time as well.
“He’s got a very bright future.”
What the scouts are saying
One thing all the experts seem to agree on: Gross-Matos’ ceiling is high. Very, very high.
But another characteristic they all agree on? His floor is very low. He’s widely regarded as a boom-or-bust prospect.
“The hinge for Gross-Matos’ boom-or-bust timelines is development,” The Draft Network’s Benjamin Solak wrote last month. “He’s a raw player, who makes up his game as he goes.”
Former NFL scout Dan Shonka, of OurLads.com, told the CDT he wasn’t physical enough on two-arm extensions and can sometimes get washed out against the run. Shonka also questioned his focus at times and labeled his get-off as “inconsistent.”
Still, the man who once served as a scout for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs didn’t hesitate in giving Gross-Matos a first-round grade.
“He’s got speed off the edge and excellent speed for the position,” Shonka added. “I think he’s an ascending player. It’s all ahead of him.”
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared him to former Buffalo Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel, a two-time Pro Bowler who retired after the 2009 season and finished his career with 78 sacks. Zierlein wrote, “When the power and skill catch up with the athleticism, look for (Gross-Matos) to become one of the more productive defenders in the league.”
In the right situation, with the right teacher, Gross-Matos can thrive. Time will tell whether Carolina was the right destination.
Future endorsement deal?
Forget the red carpet or the rose petals, Panthers fans. Just throw a pair of size-18 Crocs Gross-Matos’ way.
The big man can’t get enough of the, uh, fashionable shoes.
“I actually order them off Crocs.com,” Gross-Matos said with a smile last year. “Cant get them (in a size 18) in the store.”
His former teammate, redshirt senior Shaka Toney, told Penn State reporters last October that Crocs needed to reach out to Gross-Matos once he was drafted.
“I hope Crocs sponsors him,” Toney said. “He wears Crocs every single day of the week. Yetur is always wearing Crocs; that’s his go-to shoe. Honestly, if you see him out Saturday night, he might have a pair of Crocs on.
“If he can wear them with a suit, if he can wear them to sleep, that’s his shoe. So Crocs, if you’re listening, sponsor him. He will be a lovely spokesman for you in a couple years.”
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 7:37 PM.
