In an era of the NFL where most offenses are spreading things out and slinging the pill, Jim Harbaugh is bringing an old-school approach to the Los Angeles Chargers. He proudly anointed a 300-pound defensive tackle as the team’s starting fullback ahead of Sunday’s season-opener.
Scott Matlock, a second-year player out of Boise State, is going to play both ways!
Los Angeles released its depth chart on Tuesday. Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are listed as the four primary ball-carriers in an offense that is expected to pound the rock. Matlock was also included amongst the running backs as a fullback.
However, the 6-foot-4, 296-pound former sixth-round pick is listed on the depth chart in multiple positions. He will also be a crucial depth piece on the defensive line at the tackle position. Hell yeah!
Matlock is no stranger to an adaptive role. Boise State threw him the ball on a few different occasions and he even caught a pair of touchdowns during his five-year college football career.
His first touchdown was from three yards out in 2021.
His second was from two yards out in 2022.
It is unclear as to how Harbaugh plans to use Matlock in his offense. Perhaps he will also throw him a corner route out of the backfield near the goal line. Maybe he is going to have the big defensive tackle serve as a battering ram out in front of the running back.
Either way, this rules.
Scott Matlock is going to line up as a fullback for the Los Angeles Chargers while wearing No. 99. Football has evolved from the days of the Wing T and Jumbo packages. Fullbacks are a dying breed in an era of air raid offenses. Jim Harbaugh is bringing the position back!