The Southern California 7 on 7 circuit has always given way for talent to show off their skills in a competitive setting. This has truly been the case for Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei athlete Matt Rockett. The wide receiver / defensive back has been playing solidly for his high school 7v7 team as well as Team AIGA and we were able to catch up with him to talk a bit about his recruitment, what the 7v7 experience has done for him and more.
Regarding his recruitment, Rockett said, "I am really just trying to get my name to anyone I can right now. I've been introduced to a few coaches from Brown, Army, Wyoming, Colorado State, Colorado, Portland State and a few more. I've talked back and forth with Oregon State and I follow up with the coaches I've been introduced to and really just trying to get out there."
Matthew Rockett 7v7 Highlights
He's definitely getting his name out there, with an interest in Oregon State, San Jose State, TCU, SMU, Arizona State, Arizona, Cal Poly SLO, UCLA, Colorado and Vanderbilt. "I've talked to Coach Reveles from Arizona, Coach Sadaat from Army and Coach Beck from Oregon State. Oregon State invited me to a camp on June 15th which I'll be attending. Arizona also invited me to a camp. I will be attending a showcase at the end of the month. They have all just said they will be watching me this year and watching my progress and that they would like to see my film as well."
When it comes down to it, Rockett has an idea of what he is looking for in a school. "I guess just an overall environment that really fits me. Something close to a town where everyone goes to see the game on Saturdays is kind of my dream. A great learning environment and really just a fun environment to be in," Rockett said.
Rockett is definitely a versatile player who can make an impact on both sides of the ball, but playing for a college team can be a different story. "I'd prefer wide receiver, but I love safety as well," said Rockett. He has the talent to play either, but if his 7v7 showings have been any indication, wide receiver might be the best spot for him as he's made a huge impact on the offensive side of the ball for his teams.
We also talked to Rockett about how the 7v7 scene has affected him, his game and his recruitment.
"7v7 is what put me on the map 100%," Rocket said. "Vegas NLA was my first tournament and that kind of got my name out there and then the tournaments after that, people knew who I was and continued to get to know who I was more and more."
It has also given him great on field experience as well. Rockett told us, "Well I had a few injuries that held me back a little last year. I didn't play often because I broke my thumb, but I was an honorable mention for All Trinity League. My coaches definitely expect a lot from me this year going both ways and I expect to give them anything and more that they want from me."
Coach Troy Lau of AIGA told us a bit about Matt as well. "Matt has a competitive greatness and the athleticism to overcome the wishes of college coaches to be longer and bigger. He is shifty, explosive, does not drop balls, and is fanatical about winning. He will contribute to any program in the nation, just get him the ball."
His recruitment can definitely pick up as he is coming from big time program such as Mater Dei. "I mean, people are going to know who Mater Dei is. Like you said, we are a big time school and that by itself brings tons of attention to people which is another way to get your name out there." Rockett continued, "Getting the opportunity to start for this team is a huge privilege because of what Mater Dei has proven to be."
"I think there's always something to improve on. I definitely want to get bigger and put on some weight. One thing I'd really like to perfect is reading defenses and adjusting my routes according to that and then just getting my reads and calls down on the defensive side of the ball as well," Rockett said when asked what he'd like to improve upon.
If he can continue to improve like he has been in 7v7, Rockett can reach his goals that he has set out for himself as well as team goals. "Personal goals are to be a guy that my team depends on and can trust to make not only the big play, but instead the hustle play or the big block. As a team, we expect to go back to the CIF Finals and win this year along with league and state," Rockett said. Those goals roll over into what he feels can bring to a college program, "I feel like I give a different attitude that my team can build off of and learn to trust me like I said before. I want my team to count on me to make the game changing play."
With all of the improvements in his play and the potential of continued success at Mater Dei, would an offer from his dream school be in the future? "I grew up loving Notre Dame all of my life. That is my all time favorite dream school and I couldn't imagine how ecstatic I would be with an offer from them," Rockett said.
If he continues to perform and get his name out there as he has, Rockett could be receiving a lot more well-deserved attention. The shifty, reliable receiver in him is too good to be looked passed, especially when you can rely on his sure hands to get a team to the next level.
