Matthews could be ’Noles’ next electric playmaker on offense
TALLAHASSEE When Florida State’s D.J. Matthews has the football in his hands, there is no telling what he might do to opposing defenders on the field.
Sometimes, Matthews does not even know what he’s going to do.
That’s when Matthews, a skilled punt returner and promising receiver, lets his instincts take over.
“Honestly, when I get the ball in my hands, I’m not really thinking anything. I black out,” Matthews said with a smile before Monday’s practice.
“I just see guys coming [from] everywhere. It’s like closing your eyes for a long time, then opening them and seeing stars and trying to dodge them. That’s how I look at it.”
As the first week of FSU spring practice nears its end, Matthews (5-foot-10, 154 pounds) has already made an early impact with his dynamic playmaking ability.
With video snippets of the Seminoles’ practices hitting social media, Matthews can be seen jab stepping and putting wicked spin moves on his teammates during punt return drills while a mob of teammates wait to celebrate with him in the end zone.
Matthews has the potential to be Florida State’s next electric playmaker.
“Some of the stuff he does, it’s mind blowing,” senior running back Jacques Patrick said. “He’s a special player out there. Bottom line, he’s a special player.”
Matthews hopes to become a focal point in Willie Taggart’s new offense next season after being a nonfactor as a freshman last year under former coach Jimbo Fisher.
Matthews waited until five games into last season to make his first catch (a 12-yard reception at Duke), seven games into the year before he returned his first punt and the final home game of the regular season to catch his first touchdown (a 14-yard reception from James Blackman).
Matthews punt return skills were on full display, with a career-high five returns for 138 yards — the most in the country and third-most in FSU history — against Delaware State. He had a career high three receptions for 37 yards during the Independence Bowl.
“I think it was good to get my feet wet,” Matthews said. “Of course, I didn’t get in until later in the season. But when I finally got the chance to play, I capitalized on the opportunities I got.”
While Matthews appreciated the playing time, he took the high road when asked why he did not touch the field earlier last season.
Matthews said he believes he will receive ample playing time next season.
He played in an offense similar to Taggart’s during his first three years of high school at Jacksonville First Coast High with former FSU quarterback DeAndre Johnson, so this spring is seems like an advanced version of a refresher course in Taggart’s Gulf Coast scheme.
Taggart is just as excited about having Matthews in the fold because of his elusiveness as a player, charisma as a teammate and ability to even block bigger players.
“He loves playing the game and he makes some plays that not everybody can make,” Taggart said. “… He’s not the biggest guy out there, but he plays big. Whether it’s catching the ball or making plays, or even blocking, you watch the young man go out and block, and I’m really impressed by him.”
Matthews has a chance to mirror some of the great FSU punt return playmakers such as Deion Sanders, Peter Warrick, Leon Washington, Willie Reid and Greg Reid.
But Matthews knows being mentioned among those players is an honor he must earn.
“I really can’t compare myself to guys who have been here in the past, who have been electrifying,” he said. “I still have to build. I still got to get in the game, improve and get better.”