February 4, 2011
Matias makes it official
Josue Matias receives a hug from his mother after the ceremony for his commitment.
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By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
UNION CITY – When Union City’s Josue Matias suffered a serious right knee injury on August 28, it was difficult for him to imagine this day when he would sign a college scholarship.
Matias feared his hopes for a college career were dashed on that field in Marlboro, when he suffered a torn patella tendon in his right knee on just the second play of the season’s first scrimmage.
Thanks to a grueling and impressive rehab over the past five months, the injury did little to derail his college dreams. Matias was officially honored in a ceremony at his high school yesterday, one day after signing his letter of intent to play at Florida State University.
“It was a big fear,” said Matias, surrounded by his family and Soaring Eagle teammates. “When I got hurt, I thought it was all going to be over. God was on my side and he helped me out. Look what’s happening now; it’s a great day for me.”
The injury, and ensuing surgery a few days later, left Matias convinced the countless scholarship offers would be gone.
Those concerns were quickly dismissed by the same people Matias was most afraid to tell about his injury – the college coaches across the country who were desperate to attract the 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive tackle.
“When they found out and they were laughing at me saying ‘come on man, its not that bad,’” said Matias with a laugh, admitting he was fearful of admitting the extent of his injury. “That put a smile on my face.”
“His injury was a bad one, but it’s a common injury for big guys, linemen especially,” Union City head coach Wilbur Valdez said. “No one backed off. If anything, after the injury he picked up an additional seven offers.”
One of those schools which offered after the injury was Florida State. Matias received more than 40 scholarship offers, but in the end chose the Seminoles over North Carolina, Miami and Rutgers, the school he had previous given a verbal commitment to on January 30.
While Matias, felt comfortable with the initial decision to pick in-state Scarlet Knights, doubt quickly overtook him and his family about the choice.
“When I asked him if he was sure (when he made the decision), he sounded pretty sure,” Valdez said. “I guess when he slept on it, he didn’t really feel good about it. He came in the next morning and said he felt he screwed up, that he kind of jumped the gun and he asked me if he could change his mind. I had to be honest and tell him that if he wanted to he could.
“The difference with how he felt after the Florida State commitment it’s obvious that this is where his heart was.”
“It wasn’t the wrong decision. It was right at the moment,” said Matias, citing the bilingual coaches on the Florida State staff gave him and his parents a greater comfort level with the program. “When my family said they wanted me to go to Florida State there was no doubt I was going to go there because I was torn between both places.”
Six days after the initial commitment, he made the switch to Florida State. There he will be part of an incoming recruiting class which is considered by many the best in the country.
That, along with a returning core from last year’s 10-4 season was a big positive for Matias. Due to the struggles of the team around him and last season’s injury, he never got the chance to experience the state playoffs during his high school career.
“To be honest with you, I haven’t been on a winning team since Pop Warner,” Matias said. “This was the first winning team I was supposed to be on and I didn’t play. So I wanted to go win and that’s Florida State. I felt like it was the right place to go and do big things.”
Matias was unfazed by the competition he will face for playing time at Florida State as he felt he was going to have to compete for a spot regardless of which school he selected.
He might not see the field right away as he continues to rehab from his injury, but in the future Matias should provide the Seminoles with everything you look for in an offensive tackle.
“He plays with a toughness that’s hard to find,” said former Union City head coach Joe Rotondi. “He plays violently I guess is the best way to put it. He doesn’t just want to block you, he wants to protect whomever’s carrying the ball and that’s a great thing for an offensive lineman to have.”
“I’m relentless,” said Matias of the style that has made him a force both on the field and during his rehab. “I don’t give up on plays. If you beat me on a play, you better get ready for the next play because I’m coming back.”
Josue Matias joins a recruiting class considered to be one of the best in the nation.