UConn football’s Matt Peart emerging as an NFL prospect

Over the course of another dismal season for UConn football, right tackle Matt Peart has been quietly standing out in a big way. The Massachusetts native is projected to be a sought-after NFL Draft pick— the Huskies haven’t had many of those lately.

The only five-year senior on a young team, Peart has garnered attention from various NFL draft analysts over the past few months, culminating on Sunday when he accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl.

Peart is quick off the ball and has demonstrated solid footwork in his 36 starts, a rare constant in their ever-shifting offense. Peart has the prototypical size and measurables that NFL teams look for in offensive tackles, at 6’7” and 300 lbs. with a 7-foot wingspan.

If Peart does hear his name called in the Draft, he will join the nine UConn alumni on current NFL rosters. He would be the fifth Husky drafted in the past five years, joining defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi (6th round, 2018), Obi Melifonwu (2nd round, 2017), Byron Jones (1st round, 2015) and Geremy Davis (6th round, 2015).

Peart has earned Pro Football Focus team of the week honors twice so far in the 2019 season and has some scouts high on his draft stock.