There may be 1,141 miles separating Katy, Tex. and Tempe, Ariz. yet Michael Matus said that his visit to the Sun Devils two weeks ago gave him that strong hometown feeling. On Monday evening, the Lone Star defensive lineman decided to call ASU his college home for the next handful of years.

“I was on a visit there a couple of weeks ago,” Matus said, “and to be honest that was the most homey feeling I ever had on a visit. Coach Graham and what he stands for is amazing. The academics are top-notch and I will be able to apply and get into the Barrett Honors College. Of course playing for a Power 5 football team is a bonus.”

Matus does have several offers from Ivy League schools and added that it wasn’t necessarily a hard decision to settle on a Power 5 school since he sought out the balance ASU could offer between a quality education and playing at a high level of Division I football.

The lineman was recruited by ASU’s defensive line coach. Michael Slater, who used to coach one of Matus’ trainers which naturally aided the recruiting process.

“Coach Slater is awesome and we got along very well,” Matus said. “He always stayed in touch, and that led to the visit and the visit led to a commitment. He told me that I met their goals as a player that can lead them to a championship. I’m going to do what’s best for the team and that is how I’m going to play. Coming from Katy we are a ‘do your job’ type of school.

"I like their fast, aggressive defense and that relates to Katy in its own way."

Matus is good friends with another ASU commit, running back Brock Sturges, who committed to the Sun Devils in June, another factor that played a role in tonight’s decision.

“Me and him have been going to school together since 4th grade and playing football,” Matus remarked. “We have been really close friends, but he didn’t pressure me to commit after he did and said to do what is best for me. But there are obviously some good reasons why he picked Arizona State, and he also said that the school felt like home. There is no other way to describe it.

“He told me that the coaching staff really makes the program, especially what Coach Graham instills.”

Matus stated that he didn't necessarily think he would commit to the school of his choice this early in the process, but knew that he would eventually commit when the “right time came” and that just happened to be on July 10th. The lineman said that he has no plans to visit other schools in the future, other than another Tempe on July 28th.

“I’ve done a lot of my visits in the last two years,” Matus explained, “and I’m grounded right now.”