Can Canes Close It Out?

Matt Pipho came into his sophomore year of high school hoping to ultimately become an impact tight end. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds at the time, he wasn't expecting the news he was about to receive.

"My coach talked to me about moving to tackle," Pipho said. "I'm a football player and I really don't care where on the field I'm playing. As long as I'm out there and having fun, it was OK with me."

Now 260 pounds, Pipho has quickly become one of the most heavily recruited linemen in the Midwest region.

"I think it's my size and athletic ability," he said when asked what makes him different than other OL prospects. "Plus, I'm smart out there. I know I'm only going to add more weight in college. The big thing is how hard I'm willing to work and I know I'll take care of that part."

The talented lineman, a full academic qualifier, has been getting plenty of recruiting attention this year.

"I have three of my visits scheduled," he said. "I have Oregon scheduled for the 10th of December, Stanford for the second weekend of January, and Miami on the third weekend in January. I'm still not sure on the last two. I'm still looking at Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Iowa State for those. Everyone I mentioned, except Oklahoma and Nebraska, have offered me."

Pipho said he had been getting a lot of mail from UM early in the process and that him a little bit interested.

"I was lukewarm on them at first," he said. "After I sent them my tape, they started calling a lot and then they offered me not too long ago. Coach Kehoe is really cool, I like him. I'm looking forward to visiting there. Miami's a great program and it's very impressive how much they're always winning."

The talented lineman is not yet ready to name a favorite.

"I'll have to take my visits to decide that," he said. "It's just a matter of how well I fit in at each of those places."

Pipho talked about the depth chart factor when he starts narrowing his list down even more.

"It really won't have an impact because I know guys will be there when I get there and I know more guys will come in while I'm there," he said. "All I can do is put in the work, play hard, and hope for the best."