Top 2016 running back target Matt Falcon, one of our 16 uncommitted recruits to watch in 2016, joined RTI Radio on Monday afternoon to discuss his recruitment with hosts Reed Carringer and Houston Kress.
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What about his game has schools interested:
“They say most people my size can’t run, but I think my speed is what sets me apart from other running backs and, you know, that’s what the colleges like. I’m big, I’m physical, but I can also run by you.”
On his physicality:
“That has always been part of my game, you know, I do what I have to do, you know, the main goal is to score and help my team win. Getting physical – you know I like that – I like hitting people, so that’s just how I play.”
On if Tennessee is still his leader after Michigan offered:
“Yes, Tennessee is still my leader. That hasn’t changed. I’m very thankful for Michigan taking the opportunity – giving me the opportunity to play at their school, but, you know, right now I’m still sticking with Tennessee.”
On why he’s interested in Tennessee:
“I still have to go visit, you know, go see the campus and everything, but you know, just talking to the coaches – I had some very good over-the-phone talks, and the fans are showing a lot of love, so that whole part about Tennessee right now is what’s drawing me to them.”
On his lead recruiter:
“I’ve been speaking with Coach (Steve) Stripling”
On his knee’s health after tearing his ACL earlier in his career:
“I’m 100%. Nobody has to worry about my knee anymore, you know I’m still working it out, making sure it’s strong, but I have no issues with that.”
On his relationship with Butch Jones:
“I had a brief talk with him after they offered me – about a week or so after. You know, the conversation was good. He’s really interested in me. I love what he’s doing out there at Tennessee, bringing it back to the national powerhouse that they once were. He’s doing a great job out there. Hopefully one day I might play for him – you never know.”
On what he’s looking for in a school:
“The most important thing to me is school. I’m going to look at the school and see if they excel well in what I want to major in, which is physical therapy. Right behind that, I look at the depth chart, because I want to play my freshman year, I want to see if I’m going to have the opportunity to compete for that job and hopefully win that job by freshman year. I just want to feel at home, you know, the school that likes me the most, communicates with me the most and where I feel the most comfortable being four years – that will ultimately decide where I go.”
On what he’s like off the field:
“I’m a sociable guy. Coach has us doing a lot of stuff for charity. Most of the time I’m just at home training, doing school work, so I’m really kind of in the books and I’m really dedicated to perfecting my craft.”
On who he models his game after:
I believe that I’m my own player. I play different than any other running back, but I look up to Adrian Peterson with what he went through with his knee, and then coming back and having a 2,000-yard season, and just looking at the way he played and the physicality that he brings to the game, just that excitement factor, I try to model myself – not really model – but I look up to him as a player. I try to bring that same intensity with me when I play.”
