Deep Dive Into New UMass Tight End Matthew Ogunniyi

The newest piece to UMass’ tight end room brings speed and athleticism

Ever since the day former UMass tight end Dominick Mazotti played his last snap at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, people asked questions on who was going to replace a top five receiver and clutch third down playmaker. Head coach Joe Harasymiak and his coaching staff think they have their answer with Rutgers transfer Matthew Ogunniyi.

At 6-foot-5 and 236 pounds, the Springdale, Md., native is extremely athletic and versatile. Ogunniyi brings a big frame and athleticism as a pass-catcher, but also is someone with the size and capability to block at a high rate. He displayed that talent at the high school level, but he is still yet to prove it on a collegiate gridiron.

“Honestly, he has so much potential because he’s a freak of an athlete,” Ogunniyi’s high school coach, Dameon Powell, said. “He can run and he’s very fast for his size. I put him on the track team and he excelled.”

Under Powell at C.H. Flowers High School, he played tight end and wide receiver while helping his school to a 13-1 record and multiple playoff appearances. In 2022, he helped take his team to the MPSSAA-4A title game in Maryland. That season he caught 16 passes for 509 yards and seven touchdowns, which meant an average of 31.8 yards per reception as a junior.

“He has a huge range and catch radius, so he can catch the ball anywhere,” Powell said. “If you see his film, he can hit a slant and he’ll take it for 90 or a touchdown.”

That season as a junior in high school, he earned an all-state selection and moved up to the No. 20 player in Maryland. ESPN also ranked him as the No. 31 tight end prospect nationally.

“We split him out and we had him inside in different personnel,” Powell said. “We did a lot of things with him and he was just a matchup problem because nobody could put a linebacker on him.”

His special athleticism and football ability brought him to Rutgers to play under head coach Greg Schiano. In his freshman year, Ogunniyi saw time in one game without registering a catch. He decided it was time to move on, ultimately entering the transfer portal.

Although Ogunniyi played offense, former Rutgers defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak noticed the ability was there. When Harasymiak became the new UMass head coach, the tight end room lacked depth and athleticism. It seemed like a match made in heaven.

“I knew he had some other options but (Harasymiak) was a huge part of the transfer as well,” Powell said. “I think a better opportunity and getting to a scheme that would showcase what he could really do (was important to him). If they scheme it up pretty good, they’ve got a gem.”

Ogunniyi will also be coming in as a brand new transfer with offensive lineman Bradley Kamga. The two played together at the high school level, with Powell coaching both of them. High school connections, Rutgers connections and more could help Ogunniyi adjust to what will be a challenging season if UMass wants to be successful in its first season in the Mid-American Conference.

Although Ogunniyi possesses incredible speed any player in any position might want, he still has parts of his game which haven’t reached their full potential.

“The main thing he has to work on is blocking, and learning how to dig guys out,” Powell said. “As far as the passing game goes, he’s going to excel.”

As far as the UMass tight end room goes, they have just one returning piece that made any receptions last season in Owen Anderson. They have other guys like Magnus Von Saldern and Reece Adkins with great blocking ability, but none possess the athleticism or speed with the ball in the open field that Ogunniyi does.

“He’s a great kid with a great family,” Powell said. “He did pretty well in the classroom and he’s a good locker room guy…He’s just gotta get his opportunity to showcase his talent.”

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