Andy Matakis was able to compare the two linebacker factories that are Penn State and Texas A&M. Having grown up in western Pennsylvania, Matakis knew all about Joe Paterno’s penchant for churning out top-flight linebackers from Matt Millen to LaVar Arrington.

But once Matakis and his family moved down south to Corpus Christi, Texas, the 6-3, 235-pound inside linebacker was able to see up close another Linebacker U., the one that actually has a logo on its maroon helmet.

And the Aggies, desperate for inside linebacking help this recruiting season, jumped at the chance to secure this anchor in the middle. In fact, Matakis was one of the first players sought out by inside linebackers coach Alan Weddell and R.C. Slocum this summer. And Matakis didn’t hesitate on taking the coaches up on their scholarship offer.

"He visited all those places this past summer," Corpus Christi Flour Bluff coach Jim Garfield said. "He went back east and did some things unofficial wise. He just fell in love with Coach Slocum and his program and wanted to stay here in Texas.

"He wanted to get it all done. He didn’t want to go through his senior year wondering where he was going to go. I’m proud of the young man for holding to his guns on his verbal commitment. It says a lot about him."

His stats say a lot about Matakis, as well. As the lone team captain for Flour Bluff, Matakis recorded 53 tackles, 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and three quarterback sacks. He also caused three fumbles.

The Aggies will have plenty of room for Matakis to make an early impact. Along with the Bay City duo of Archie McDaniel and Nurahda Manning, A&M coaches will have to look closely at playing all three guys when they show up for two-a-days in August.

The Aggie depth chart at inside linebacker is thin, as Harold Robertson and Amon Simon – both dependable backups to starters Brian Gamble and Jared Morris – have graduated. Morris also must rehabilitate his knee after suffering an ACL tear late in the 2001 season.

"Andy is another linebacker prospect who runs well and is relentless on defense," says Slocum. "We expect him to be able to come in and help us."

Garfield said Matakis, who can bench 350 pounds and squat 500, could team with one of the Bay City boys to create a devastating combination at inside linebacker in future years.

"Him and the guy (McDaniel) they signed from Bay City, the Aggies really upped their level of play with these two," Garfield said. "I’ve seen the Bay City kid on tape, and these two are going to fit well, whether one is outside or both are inside. I think their defense just got that much better."

Matakis runs a 4.6 40-yard dash and was considered one of the most physical players along the Texas coast. Garfield said Matakis simply was the gem of his team.

"He’s going to put on some weight, and I don’t think he’s going to lose his quickness, by any means," Garfield added. "The thing that helps Andy is he can play both inside linebacker and outside linebacker for them. He’s extremely fast for a kid his size. He has amazing quickness in the box. He’s a tremendous athlete, and we’ll really miss him."

Matakis didn’t garner much attention statewide or nationally in terms of the recruiting services, but Matakis was attracting recruiters from all over the country before he decided to commit to A&M.

In the end, Matakis understood he was signing with a school that has turned out more NFL linebackers than any other school in the region. And that made the decision to head to Aggieland an easy one.

"He knows exactly the tradition that Texas A&M has as far as their linebacking corps is concerned," Garfield said.

–Homer Jacobs