2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Matthew WyKoff, OL, University of Houston

• Name: Matthew WyKoff
• Position: OL
• College: University of Houston
• Height: 6’5 1/2″
• Weight: 312 lbs
• X: @WykoffMatthew
• Instagram: @matthew_wykoff

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

Originally, I lived in Pennsylvania with my family and the earliest you’re allowed to play football was like fifth grade and I remember moving down to Texas I was in second grade going to third grade and we moved down here and they’re like yeah like kids play football from Pre-K and Kindergarten around here. You know I always heard my dad was great at football and so naturally, I just always wanted to play it. We’re a big football family and always watch games on Saturdays and Sundays. We loved it in this household so that was always something I wanted to do and started playing in third grade and fell in love with it and the rest is history.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My true freshman year when we upset number one Alabama at home while I was at A&M so that was a lot of fun and then you know, I went undefeated in our big game against Stanford when I was at Cal for my two years there so that was awesome to be on the winning side of those rivalry games and then I’d probably save my whole last year at the University of Houston. Just a great team, great coaching staff really messed well with the guys just you know a real great brotherhood in that locker room and you know went ten and three this past year and won the Texas Bowl against LSU and I just looked back on this past season and that was very blessed and fortunate to be a part of that team .

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

I would say Jason Kelce just probably because you know the dominance he displayed you know he’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest center of all time and the way he just controls his offensive line and know what he was doing and it’s not like he the biggest guy he might’ve been playing undersized compared to a lot of the guys in the league and just his dominance and athleticism was and just overall IQ of the the game. I just feel like I could learn a lot from him just from a football standpoint and just like a technique standpoint and he just seems like an all-around great team guy as well.

What is your favorite offensive scheme and why?

I don’t really have a favorite offensive game per say just because you know I kind of pride myself in being versatile and at every level I’ve kind of done it all you know in high school we run downhill a lot but then we also you know take the top off so I kind of pride myself and in loving to run block, loving to get on combos and driving guys off the line but also have that finesse and be able to get back in the pass pro and protect my guy behind me and let them throw a great ball.

What stands out about your film the most?

I think what stands out about me is my versatility and my consistency. I’ve had the opportunity to play like all three interior position so you know, I understand what the entire offensive line does not just one piece of it and I think you know that’s going to help me at the next level and help me throughout my career and knowing how to switch positions if needed I could hop in that center and I’m not going to skip a beat. I’m going to be able to ID the fronts, see the safety rotate, linebackers rotate and be in a good spot.

What should we know about Matthew Wykoff the person?

I think what people need to know about me is you know I’m a god fearing man, very family oriented. You know those those two are the most important two things in my life and then you know and then comes football and I love football very much it’s definitely a close third I pour my heart out into everything I do and that’s kind of what I’m ready to do at the next level of football thing you know just chop wood and show up every day and give my best effort and really give it all that I have.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

I owe so much of my life and so many of the things I’ve learned and people I’ve met just because I’ve learned so many life lessons and I met so many great people who have taught me so much then also just the physicality of the game you know it’s somewhere where I feel like I could just let loose and you know at the end of the day it is just a game and it’s a game that we all fell in love with and we love to play and it’s a blessing to be able to play it. So just kinda being out there being able to play a physical game and have fun and you know build a bond with those guys you are playing next to.

Who is the most underrated player you played with and why?

Well, we got a few because you know when I was at Cal I played with Fernando Mendoza, who seemed to be pretty underrated for a while and now he’s won the Heisman and the national championship and so I’d say he was one of the more underrated people I’ve ever played with. Going into this past year, Amare Thomas I felt like was kind of an underrated guy who took off as the year went on and kind of got his respect and you know I think he’s going to have another great year this upcoming year.

What would the team get in a player like you?

They’re going to get a true competitor who loves football and loves to study the game and who’s willing to give his all. Someone who is ready to compete and play hard and show up every day and give myself up for the team.