No. 4 on the BNN most important players list for Boise State football in 2022: Defensive tackle Scott Matlock

Bronco Nation News is counting down the 25 most important players to the Boise State football team in 2022. Next up in our series is No. 4, defensive tackle Scott Matlock:

On a team filled with NFL prospects entering the 2022 season, not many have the potential of Scott Matlock.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Matlock emerged with a solid 2021 season along the defensive line for the Broncos, leading the defense with seven sacks and 8.5 tackles-for-loss. He also added 41 tackles (sixth on the team) and had two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, a blocked kick and a pass break-up.

He also scored his first career touchdown against Utah State after entering as a blocking tight end near the goal line and catching a short pass from quarterback Hank Bachmeier.

Matlock, who has started all 19 games the past two seasons, was a second team All-Mountain West selection last year.

The local product has an inspiring story. He lost both parents prior to high school and moved to Homedale to live with a foster family. They’ve since legally adopted him. Matlock once said he was playing for his family name because “there aren’t many Matlocks left”.

His story could become even cooler. A big 2022 season could help him get picked in the 2023 NFL Draft.

It’s a big year for Matlock. The Broncos are counting on him to become even more dominant in 2022, and that’s why he lands on our list as the No. 4 most important player heading into the season.

Watch B.J. Rains and John Mallory discuss Scott Matlock at No. 4 on our list. The discussion starts 6:22 into the show: