PUTTING UP THE NUMBERS

SOPHOMORE
SEASON (2020)

Was named a Burlsworth Trophy nominee for a second straight year, which goes out to the most outstanding collegiate football player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Was listed as the “seventh-rated player in the Mountain West” by Pro Football Focus. Was called “SDSU’s fourth-best offensive player” by College Football News. Started the team’s eight games on the season at wide receiver and three times as the punt returner, Had 24 catches for 326 yards (13.6 avg.) with a touchdown and a long catch of 51 yards. Led the team in catches (24), receiving yards (326) and long catch (51). Also returned 12 punts for 113 yards (9.4 avg.) with a long of 29 yards.

Ranked second in the Mountain West and 14th in FBS in punt return average (9.42). Earned the start against UNLV in the opener on Oct. 24 and made a 10-yard grab. Also appeared to finish with a touchdown catch, but the play was overruled by video replay. Started again at Utah State on Oct. 31, making three catches for 24 yards (8.0 avg.) with a long of 12 yards. Hauled in six passes for a career-high 139 yards against San José State on Nov. 6, making the Pro Football Focus National Team of the Week. Recorded his first 100-yard game of the season and third of his career (all over the last seven games). Became the 41st player in program history with three career 100-yard games. Had a career-long 51-yard reception in the game.

Earned the start against Hawai’i at wide receiver on Nov. 14, but did not make a catch, snapping a streak of 16 straight games. Returned his first five punts of the season for 60 yards (12.0 avg.) with a long of 29 yards. Set career highs in all three punt return categories - returns (5), yards (60) and long (29), while tying a career best in average (12.0). Recorded five catches for 80 yards (16.0 avg.) with a long of 35 yards in a start at Nevada on Nov. 21. All three marks were team highs. Also returned two punts for 15 yards (7.5 avg.) with a long of 10 yards ... Had two catches for 13 yards (6.5 avg.) in a start at Colorado on Nov. 28, while returning two punts for 18 yards (9.0 avg.) with a long of 17 yards. Had a pair of catches for nine yards in a start vs. Colorado State on Dec. 5, including a 9-yard touchdown. The touchdown was his first of the season and third of his career, and put SDSU on the scoreboard. Had team highs of five receptions and 51 yards (10.2 avg.) in another start at No. 14/16 Brigham Young, while also returning a punt for 13 yards.

FRESHMAN
SEASON (2019)

Won a pair of team awards, including the Byron H. Chase Memorial Trophy (offensive player of the year) and the Outstanding Freshman Award (with Cameron Thomas). Became the first Aztec freshman to be named an offensive or defensive outstanding player since quarterback Ryan Lindley in 2008. Was named a Burlsworth Trophy nominee, which goes out to the most outstanding collegiate football player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.

Started 10 games and played in all 13. Had 48 catches for 633 yards (13.2 avg.) with two touchdowns and a long of 74 yards. Also had 12 punt returns for 78 yards (6.5 avg.) with a long of 25 yards and a 7-yard rush. Had the fifth-most catches (48) in the country without a dropped pass (according to Pro Football Focus). His 48 receptions and 633 receiving yards each ranked second on the team. Among freshmen in SDSU single-season history, Matthews ranked second in receptions (48) and third in receiving yards (633). Started the opener vs. Weber State in his first collegiate game, making three catches for 25 yards (8.3 avg.) with a long of 11 yards over 40 snaps. Had five catches for 59 yards (11.8 avg.) in a second straight start at UCLA, playing 62 snaps. Had a catch of 20 yards ... Had four of his five receptions for 41 yards in the first quarter and an 18-yard grab on a third-and-3 situation late in the fourth quarter, which led to a field goal that put the game away for SDSU. Also started at punt returner for the first time of his career, but did not record a return. Started again at New Mexico State, making four catches for 31 yards (8.8 avg.) with a long of 10 yards. The four receptions tied Elijah Kothe for the most on the team.

Came off the bench for the first time against Utah State, playing 45 snaps. Made a highlight reel diving 20-yard catch on a second-and-26 situation. Also had his first career rush for seven yards and his first career punt return (13 yards), starting there for the second time. Had two catches for 16 yards (8.0 avg.) with a long of eight yards in 33 snaps in a reserve role at Colorado State. Had career highs of six catches and 73 yards (12.2 avg.) in a start against Wyoming, playing 55 snaps. In the second half alone, caught five passes for 65 yards. His biggest catch was a career-long 25-yard grab on a fourth-and-3 situation late in the fourth quarter. It extended the drive and led to a 10-yard Juwan Washington touchdown run, which put the Aztecs on top for good. Had three catches for 22 yards (7.3 avg.) in 57 offensive snaps at San José State, while also handling a punt return for zero yards. Made two catches for 15 yards (7.5 avg.) in a start at UNLV, logging 34 snaps on the offensive side of the ball. Also excelled as a punt returner, returning four for 48 yards (12.0 avg.) with a long of 25 yards. Ended up setting career highs in punt returns (4), punt return yards (48), punt return average (12.0) and long punt return (25).

Caught three passes for 32 yards (10.7 avg.) with a long of 18 yards in a start and 60 snaps vs. Nevada. Also returned three punts for 17 yards (5.7 avg.) with a long return of nine yards. Had a career-high eight catches for a career-best 119 yards against Fresno State in a start and 65 snaps, being named to the Pro Football Focus Mountain West Team of the Week for the first time of his career. Became the 86th different 100-yard receiver in program history (328th occasion overall). Also returned two punts for zero yards. Had four catches for 32 yards (8.0 avg.) in 53 offensive snaps off the bench at Hawai’i. Had team highs of four receptions and 78 yards (19.5 avg.) in a start and 53 snaps against Brigham Young. Had a career-long 33-yard catch in the game, while his 19.5 average was also a career best (min. 2 rec.). Was named the co-Most Valuable Offensive Player of the New Mexico Bowl vs. Central Michigan when he had three receptions for 111 yards and his first two career touchdowns. Recorded his second 100-yard receiving game of the season (and career). The 74-yard touchdown catch was SDSU’s longest offensive play this year and the longest catch of his career. Finished with 19 catches and 340 yards (85.0 ypg) over his final four games.

High School.

A two-year letter winner at nearby Christian High School in El Cajon, California.

Helped the Patriots to a 8-3 record as a senior, including a 3-1 league mark.

Was a first-team all-league and all-county performer as a senior in 2017, where he had 57 catches for 888 yards (15.6 avg.) and 14 touchdowns (according to MaxPreps).

Additionally was 2-for-2 passing for 102 yards and two touchdowns, while recording 35 tackles (25 solo), three interceptions and two fumble recoveries on defense.

Also was a shortstop on the baseball team and the point guard on the basketball squad.