FIU Athletics

FIU -- 2002 Freshman: Began the season as the starting right guard for four games before losing his position...long snapper on field goals...shoulder surgery kept him out of spring practice...played 177 snaps with only one sack and one penalty called against him...his six pancakes were second most on the offensive line.

Palmetto High School: Started 37 straight games on the offensive line...voted the team’s Outstanding Lineman and was selected as a Manatee County all-star and to the all-district team...helped the Tigers to the district championship...played in the PAL Bowl game that pitted all-stars from Manatee against Sarasota County...named All-Gulf Coast Area afterwards...also competed in prep baseball, track and field, basketball and weightlifting...advanced to district competition in the shot put...coached in football by Bob Bowling.

Personal: Born April 9, 1982...full name Talmadge Mathews...chose FIU over interest shown by Connecticut, Louisville, Furman, The Citadel, Florida Atlantic and UCF...son of Talmadge and Billy Ruth Mathews...married and with wife Suzanne the couple have a one-year-old son Lee...General Construction major.