During Matt Holtry’s 16 years as a high school football coach in Homedale, Idaho, he only needed to bring two jerseys for one player who played both offense and defense.

This summer, as Scott Matlock’s number was retired, the community had to choose which of his two jersey numbers to honor: 44 or 99? Matlock, selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the sixth round last year, wore “99” as a defensive lineman, just as he did during his time at Boise State. Ultimately, the number 44 was the one chosen for display.

What nobody, including Matlock himself, could have anticipated was that he would soon be wearing that number again.

“It felt surreal how everything unfolded,” Holtry shared with YSL News Sports.

Matlock continues to contribute as a defensive lineman for the Chargers, but under the leadership of first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, he has also become a key player in the offense. At the conclusion of training camp, Matlock switched back to jersey number 44, indicating his expanded role in the offensive lineup. After five games, he has participated in 37% of the Chargers’ offensive plays, while being on the field for 18% of the defensive snaps (plus spending over half the time on special teams).

After Week 6, an analysis on Pro Football Reference revealed that Matlock is among eight players across seven teams (including the Chargers) who have played both offense and defense this season, combining for just 25 plays in total. Matlock has featured in 166 scrimmage plays, not counting the 74 special team appearances. In terms of competition for a dual-role player, he may have to wait for Travis Hunter, a promising prospect expected to be a high draft pick in 2025, who plays both cornerback and wide receiver for Colorado.

“The last six or seven weeks have been a lot of fun,” Matlock remarked to YSL News Sports. “Time flies, as it often does in life.”

At just 24 years old, Matlock has experienced much more than many with decades more life experience. His path has taken him from playing both sides of the field to enduring the foster care system, ultimately leading him to become an unnoticed college football talent, and now an NFL draft pick.

“He’s faced so much adversity. If there’s anyone who deserves this, it’s him,” Holtry stated. “But he’s remarkably humble about it.”

Overcoming Loss and Pursuing a Football Dream

Matlock endured the loss of his father, Doug, to cancer at the age of 9. Four years later, he discovered his mother deceased on the couch due to heart disease. Following these tragedies, Matlock entered the state’s foster care system, as his older brother Steven was already attending the University of Idaho as a freshman offensive lineman.

He eventually was placed with Mike and Donna Marose in Homedale, approximately 45 miles from his Boise roots. Before he started at Homedale High School, Donna arranged a meeting with the family and Holtry, the football coach and principal at the school.

“When he first came, he was really withdrawn,” Holtry recalled. “You could sense he didn’t want to be there. This was not how he envisioned things.”

Initially, Matlock struggled physically on the junior varsity team; the coaches even nicknamed him “bambi.” However, there was an underlying potential. There was hope he would eventually develop as his brother did.

Eventually, Holtry recognized that Matlock was meant for greatness far beyond being just another good high school player. He would practice his pass rush moves on the school’s hallway pillars.

“He was constantly focused on football,” Holtry noted.

During the spring of his sophomore year, Matlock faced consequences for sneaking out. Upset, Donna threatened to take away football and move him to another school. However, Holtry persuaded her not to go through with those drastic measures.

“They held him to high standards and had expectations for him,” Holtry explained. “They wanted him to make the right choices and become a decent person. It was an essential support for him.”

Matlock understands he would not have overcome those tough times without the Maroses’ help.

“I wouldn’t be here without them, for sure,” he expressed. “They welcomed me and treated me like one of their own, guiding me to be a responsible young man. I cannot praise them enough.”

Matlock’s capability to play various positions started in Homedale. As a strategy, Holtry positioned Matlock wherever he was most impactful. He played defensive tackle, defensive end, tight end, H-back, and every spot on the offensive line.

“He was like the Swiss Army knife of high school football,” Holtry remarked, “and it’s wonderful to see this story unfolding in the NFL. That’s just who he was for us.”

Holtry has followed Harbaugh since his coaching career began at the University of San Diego two decades ago. He noted that the foundation of their respective offensive strategies—incorporating power and counter-iso plays—are quite alike.

“He’s an absolute force,” Holtry said. “If someone stands in his way, he will move them.”

As Matlock neared the end of his high school career, Holtry reached out to his friend at Boise State, Andy Avalos, who was then on the coaching staff.

He told Avalos that if there was any player worth pursuing, it was Matlock. Although initially, Boise State didn’t offer him a scholarship, he received offers from Eastern Washington, Weber State, Idaho State, and the University of Idaho. Eventually, Boise State extended an offer to Matlock.

“And the rest is history,” Holtry recounted.

“It was truly a dream come true,” Matlock reflected.

Adopting a Versatile Mindset

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Matlock stepped onto the field to bring the necessary strength to assist the Broncos in critical short-yardage scenarios, particularly when they were close to scoring.

Often, Matlock would position himself behind Avalos, who took over as the Broncos’ head coach in 2021, and would thump his heel into the ground like a horse ready to sprint. “You know what time it is,” he would say to Avalos.

“I loved it,” Avalos, now serving as the defensive coordinator at Texas Christian, shared with YSL News Sports. “You knew exactly what to expect from those guys on the field.”

When Matlock arrived at Boise State, he weighed 240 pounds. Over the span of five years, he transformed himself into a formidable physical force. Avalos fondly recalls Matlock’s ability to create an uplifting atmosphere during tough training and preparation sessions, saying, “he has this energy that you just love.” He puts in the effort without causing strain for those around him.

“It doesn’t matter which locker room that guy is in,” Avalos remarked. “He’s going to give his all for the team’s success.”

By his senior year in 2022, Matlock had earned spots on the Bednarik and Outland Trophy watch lists after an impressive season where he secured seven sacks. He also caught a touchdown pass against Utah State in 2021 and scored again on Senior Day in 2022, which he cherishes as one of his fondest college experiences.

“From a defensive perspective, his understanding of the game is exceptional,” Avalos stated.

Matlock could often read whether a play was going to be a run or pass from his stance before the ball was snapped. After showcasing this skill throughout a game against Air Force, future opponents of the academy reached out to Matlock on social media for tips on how he accomplished it.

However, his greatest contributions came simply by stepping onto the field, according to Tim Plough, the former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Boise State.

“Just having him in the huddle improved our mindset immediately, making us much more effective in those situations,” Plough, who now heads UC-Davis, relayed to YSL News Sports.

The coaching staff would occasionally position Matlock in the backfield as a lead blocker or assign him a tight end role to take charge of favorable matchups.

“He would completely dominate on his side, allowing us to run right behind him,” Plough noted.

While no one anticipated Matlock’s involvement in the passing game, the coaches recognized his athleticism, both on and off the field. Avalos admired his “loose hips” and how they contributed to Matlock being an excellent golfer. He also stood out in team bowling competitions.

Now that Matlock is catching passes in the NFL from Justin Herbert (with one reception for seven yards), Plough commented, “Seeing this from him isn’t surprising. His success is expected.”

Matlock’s physical abilities are impressive, but Plough emphasized that the mental side is just as crucial.

During his college days, Matlock routinely returned to the football coaches’ office after class early in the week to review the five or six plays he needed to master. During practice, often on Wednesdays, he would dash from one side of the field to the other to practice his designated plays during offensive goal-line scenarios.

“The offense would elevate its performance because he inspired them with his mindset of, ‘We’re going to claim this yard. We’re going to succeed.’ That energy was contagious. I believe it continues to be so now,” Plough added.

An unexpected NFL transformation

Perhaps Matlock took Travis Kelce’s advice too earnestly.

After the Chiefs defeated the Chargers last October, Matlock sought out the Chiefs’ tight end for some guidance.

“You know what it is?” the nine-time Pro Bowler advised Matlock during a conversation picked up by microphones. “Understand the other side of the ball just as well as you understand your own.”

Post-game, Matlock had an epiphany.

“I thought, ‘Well, why not play offense too?’” he recalled. “It’s somewhat ironic.”

The notion of Matlock playing offense was first mentioned when former Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who also hails from Boise State, joked that maybe they had a potential offensive option.

But when Harbaugh and his coaching staff arrived, the prospect of Matlock on offense gained serious traction.

“This wasn’t solely my idea,” Matlock clarified. “There might have been some playful banter during training camp. They were well aware that I had played that role in college and had caught two touchdown passes, plus I’ve got good hands.”

Now, Matlock juggles multiple roles every morning—attending offensive meetings, defensive meetings, and walkthroughs for both offense and defense. He also participates in special teams meetings and practices.

“There’s much more to it than in college,” Matlock acknowledged, noting that he now needs to master a full professional playbook instead of just a handful of plays against Mountain West opponents.

Roman had previously converted another former defensive lineman into an offensive player with the Baltimore Ravens—Patrick Ricard, a four-time Pro Bowl fullback who started as a two-way player early in his career.

“Scott has a lot on his plate, and it’s remarkable how he manages everything,” Roman remarked in September. “I can’t emphasize enough how hard he prepares, and he improves every week. That’s truly impressive!”

In Roman’s offensive scheme, Matlock serves in the H-back position, akin to the role he played in Holtry’s system back in Homedale.

“I don’t think (Roman) was opposed to the idea,” Matlock commented. “We started off slowly, but it gradually developed into what it is now. I doubt anyone saw this coming.”

Remembering his beginnings

During his jersey retirement ceremony in Homedale, Matlock stood under the glaring sun for 45 minutes, signing autographs for all the kids present.

He handed something over.

According to Holtry, Matlock had every reason to abandon his goals or justify his circumstances due to his challenging childhood, yet he chose to persevere.

“He has such a compassionate nature,” Holtry commented. “Anyone who knows him would describe him as a gentle soul.”

Steven Matlock has lived with Scott Matlock since Scott’s junior year at Boise State, and they enjoy playing golf together. Matlock views his older brother as his inspiration, motivator, and role model.

“He’s been a pillar of support for me for a long time,” Matlock shared.

While at Boise State, Matlock participated in the leadership council where he emphasized the importance of mindset with his teammates, according to Plough. His key message often centered on the difference between “having to” do things versus “wanting to.”

“He approached everything with that perspective, from offseason training to his roles on offense and defense. He expressed immense gratitude and embodied humility,” Plough noted.

Matlock maintained a calm demeanor and always sought solutions. He made it clear that negativity was not an option.

“The challenges he has faced could easily have overwhelmed many, yet they only served to strengthen him,” Plough remarked. “He emerged as a resilient person capable of overcoming obstacles.”

In the previous season, Matlock accumulated 15 tackles and one quarterback hit across 12 games. Currently, he has established himself as a valuable asset in all three phases of the game.

“I still have NFL GMs and defensive line coaches telling me, ‘We missed the boat on him,’” Avalos expressed. “He truly is an exceptional player, and I’m thrilled for his current success.”

Matlock often reflects on how he reached this milestone in his life.

“Honestly, I still ponder that to this day,” Matlock admitted. “I just took it one day at a time, simply striving to make it to the next day and keep pushing forward.”