Colts bet on a high upside free agent by signing a next level athlete who played college basketball

A recent Colts signing is trying to be the next college basketball player to make it in the NFL

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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South Florida forward Bayron Matos goes up for a rebound
Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts have never been afraid to give a high-potential player a chance over the years. Their most recent signing is another example of them doing just that.

The Colts announced they signed offensive tackle Bayron Matos to their practice squad. Matos is attempting to become the next player to transition from college basketball to the NFL. 

Bayron Matos’ college basketball career

  • New Mexico 2020: 6.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 0.6 BPG
  • South Florida 2021: 1.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.2 BPG

Colts sign former Dolphins OT Bayron Matos

Former Dolphins OT Bayron Matos
Bayron Matos, from the Dominican Republic, is practicing with the Miami Dolphins as an offensive tackle.HAL HABIB / The Palm Beach Post / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Matos began his college career at New Mexico, where he played basketball in 2020. He transferred to South Florida in 2021, where he played one season of basketball. He joined South Florida’s football team in 2022 and played for two games. Despite never actually playing in a game at South Florida, he made the jump to the NFL in 2024 by signing a future deal with the Miami Dolphins.

He spent the offseason and training camp with the Dolphins. His massive frame— 6-7, 334 pounds — makes him a solid fit to play tackle. His basketball background also helps him to move better than you’d expect from an offensive lineman. He ran a 4.88 40-yard dash and, on paper, looks like a solid fit for the type of tackle Chris Ballard and the Colts have prioritized over the years. Matos now joins the Colts’ practice squad, where the team will attempt to develop the young tackle. 

It is worth noting that Matos’ time with the Dolphins ended after he suffered an injury in training camp. The injury led to Matos being airlifted to a trauma center to be evaluated. He now feels healthy and ready to fight for his dream of making it in the NFL again.

He’ll join TE Moe Alie-Cox as the Colts’ other player who played college basketball. Alie-Cox had a successful career at VCU, where he was a 1,000-point scorer. Matos didn’t have that level of success on the court, but will be trying to make the same transition that Cox did, just at a different position than we typically see converted basketball players at.

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