He was a walk-on who played in a total of 15 games for Georgia Tech, but Zach Matthews clearly made an impression in four seasons with the Yellow Jackets.
Coach Paul Johnson had the opportunity to salute Matthews Wednesday when he was named to the 2018 Hampshire Honor Society by the National Football Foundation. The society is comprised of college football players who have completed their eligibility, maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA throughout their playing careers and were significant contributors in the 2017 season.
There were 1,251 players named to the society from 302 schools. Matthews was Tech’s only honoree.
“Zach was an effort guy who gave you 120 percent all the time and was the quintessential team guy,” Johnson said. “Did whatever he could for the team. He was a very valuable member to have on your football team. Totally unselfish, did whatever he could do to help.”
Matthews, a defensive back from Lambert High in Gwinnett County, led Tech in 2017 with 13 special-teams tackles. He holds a 3.82 GPA and is on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering this summer.
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