In a bold roster shakeup, the Kansas City Chiefs have signed former Pitt Panthers defensive end Nate Matlack, a hometown hero poised to make waves in the NFL. The move comes as the Chiefs placed safety Deon Bush and defensive end Janarius Robinson on the Reserve/Injured list, opening the door for Matlack to step into the spotlight and bolster their defensive line.
Hailing from Olathe, Kansas, just 25 miles southwest of Kansas City, Matlack’s journey back to his roots is nothing short of inspiring. A standout at Olathe High School, he initially committed to Kansas State as part of the Class of 2020. After redshirting his first year, Matlack burst onto the scene in 2021, racking up 17 tackles (13 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks as a freshman. His explosive play earned him an Honorable Mention for Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, signaling his potential as a game-changer.
Matlack continued to shine at Kansas State over the next two seasons, with a particularly strong 2023 campaign where he recorded 15 tackles (11 solo), 7.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks. Seeking new opportunities, he entered the transfer portal and landed at Pitt for the 2024 season, where he truly solidified his reputation as a relentless pass rusher.
Under the guidance of Pitt’s new defensive line coach, Tim Daoust, Matlack started all 13 games for the Panthers in 2024. He delivered a standout performance, amassing 22 tackles (18 solo), eight tackles for loss, five sacks, three passes defended, and a forced fumble. His tenacity was on full display in key matchups, including comeback victories against rivals Cincinnati in the River City Rivalry and West Virginia in the Backyard Brawl, as well as tough battles against Virginia, Louisville, and Boston College, where he consistently notched a season-high three tackles.
Matlack’s signing with the Chiefs marks a homecoming for the Olathe native, who also worked out with the Carolina Panthers on July 26 before landing with Kansas City. He joins former Pitt teammate linebacker Brandon George, who signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, adding to the Pitt-to-KC pipeline.
The Chiefs’ decision to bring Matlack on board is a strategic move to inject fresh energy into their defensive front. With his proven ability to disrupt backfields and terrorize quarterbacks, Matlack is primed to make an immediate impact in the 2024 NFL season. Meanwhile, Pitt’s 2024 draft class also made headlines, with offensive tackle Branson Taylor (Los Angeles Chargers, No. 199), tight end Gavin Bartholomew (Minnesota Vikings, No. 202), and wide receiver Konata Mumpfield (Los Angeles Rams, No. 242) all hearing their names called. Additionally, placekicker Ben Sauls (Pittsburgh Steelers) and defensive back Donovan McMillon (Cleveland Browns) signed as undrafted free agents, showcasing the Panthers’ knack for producing NFL talent.