Former USF basketball player Bayron Matos, who has only a handful of football snaps with the Bulls in 2022 under his belt, now has a shot at the NFL.
This story cover Bayron Matos amazing journey from Dominican Republic to the NFL
Originally from the Dominican Republic, Matos signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent just after the NFL draft wrapped up.
There was some buzz before the draft that Matos might be the first Bulls player selected since receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling was picked by the Packers in the fifth round back in 2018. Instead, Matos and Bulls offensive tackle Donovan Jennings both ended up signing free-agent deals.
Matos is the epitome of an NFL project. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 313 pounds, he caught the eye of scouts through his involvement in the NFL International Player Pathway program.
This program aims to discover and develop elite global talent for the NFL. Participants showcased their skills at USF’s pro day in March, where Matos ran the 40-yard dash in an impressive 4.88 seconds.
Before his brief stint in football, Matos had limited success as a college basketball player and had never played organized football. It was former Bulls football coach Jeff Scott who encouraged Matos to give football a try in the spring of 2022.
Matos practiced with both the offensive and defensive lines and contributed on special teams, though he only made a couple of brief appearances that fall.
Now, with the Miami Dolphins, Matos has the opportunity to prove his potential on a much larger stage.
Update: Since signing with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2024, Bayron Matos’ football journey has continued to evolve. After spending time developing through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, Matos remained with Miami on a practice squad and reserve/future deal while coaches continued molding the former basketball player into a long-term offensive line prospect. His rare combination of size, athleticism, and raw potential continued to attract attention around the league.
In 2025, Matos faced one of the biggest challenges of his young football career when he suffered a serious injury during Miami Dolphins training camp and was later waived with an injury designation. Despite the setback, Matos stayed determined and eventually received another opportunity when he signed with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad later that year. In early 2026, the Colts rewarded his perseverance and development by signing him to a reserve/future contract, keeping his NFL dream alive and proving that his remarkable rise from the Dominican Republic to professional football is still being written.
