Buckskin86
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http://scout.theinsiders.com/a.z?s=145&p=8&c=1&yr=2005&nid=790383
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 220 40: 4.7
Position: RB, ILB
Projected as: RB
High School: St. John HS
(Delphos, OH)
Biography:
Big, strong back from small-school power Delphos St Johns. Started at ILB as a freshman and saw more time at RB as a sophomore.
Under Coach Todd Schulte, Shumaker ran for 1200 yards and 15 TDs on only 120 carries his sophomore year. He rushed for over 2,000 yards as a junior.
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Shumaker gets Division I attention
Delphos St. John's senior-to-be fullback Matt Shumaker will be a “watched man” this next football season. Shumaker, who rushed for 2,100 yards last season as a junior and more than 1,500 yards as a sophomore (in only seven games due to a knee injury), is drawing early interest from several Division I schools -- including Ohio State, Iowa, Nebraska, Boston College, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan -- who have all been in contact. He lists his top four as Ohio State, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Shumaker stands 6-2, weighs 230 and lists his 40-meter time at 4.7. He ran a 4.6 before having knee surgery in 2002, but has consistently clocked at the 4.6-4.7 level since then. Shumaker went to Michigan’s camp last year and plans to camp at Iowa and Ohio State this year for a day at each. At this time, he said isn't sure about other camps. Most recently, Shumaker was one of several Buckeye prospects to attend Ohio State's “junior day” at the Woody Hayes Center two weekends ago. “It went pretty well,” he said. “There were about 40 other kids. The coaches addressed us and we toured the facility. We ate lunch and then watched the OSU basketball game being played at the Schott' (Schottenstein Center) later that day. It was my first visit anywhere." Shumaker got to meet OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel at “junior day” and also talked with assistant coaches Bill Conley and Joe Daniels. Shumaker noted that will return to Ohio State for spring practices and the annual spring game and will likely be a fullback prospect this year. “I play fullback and linebacker,” he said, adding that he has more experience -- and feels more comfortable -- on offense. “I haven't played much defense since my sophomore year, although I played defense in certain situations last season." Shumaker started on the varsity football team as a freshman at St. John’s and showed capabilities at linebacker even then. Despite being moved from tailback to fullback, Matt has put up very impressive offensive numbers. “I was originally a tailback,” he said. “I played both positions last year but was a tailback for the first seven games." Shumaker noted that he started playing fullback almost exclusively and was getting about 15 carries a game. The Blue Jay has been busy recently with basketball, but is a solid weight room performer. He has been named St. John’s “Mr. Fitness” in the past for his work ethic in the weight room and his overall training in the off-season. His best bench press was 330 pounds last summer and he also produced a 425-pound squat. With so many schools wanting his services -- and contacting him almost on a weekly basis -- it appears at this point that, while he would like to get his decision out of the way, Shumaker is going to wait and see how things develop. “I'd like to get it over with but it depends on what offers are on the table,” he said, adding: “I'm just going to kind of let it happen. If the right offer's on the table, I'll take it." But what if the St. John's offensive standout gets two or three offers that are great offers? What factors will he use to decide? “Three things: academics, a good football program with a good tradition and a good fit with the coaches and players,” he said. Well, one thing is for sure, whoever gets Shumaker's services will not only be getting a great football player, but also a good-natured young man.