American football player (born 1999)
American football player
Matt Landers (born June 16, 1999) is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Georgia , Toledo , and Arkansas .
Early life
A native of St. Petersburg, Florida , and the son of former basketball player Toney Mack , Landers attended three different high schools in the state.[ 1] [ 2] He spent his freshman and sophomore years at Lakewood High School before transferring to Admiral Farragut Academy as a junior ; on the football team with the latter, he posted 1,038 yards and 15 touchdowns .[ 2] He then transferred to St. Petersburg High School and recorded 40 receptions for 719 yards and seven scores.[ 2] He was ranked a three-star recruit and the 97th-best wide receiver nationally, as well as the 89th-best player in the state.[ 2] Landers eventually committed to play college football at Georgia .[ 3]
College career
In his first year at Georgia in 2017, Landers saw no action and was a scout team member.[ 4] The following season, he appeared in four games but posted no receptions.[ 4] [ 5] In 2019, he saw action in 12 of their 14 games and posted 10 catches for 105 yards.[ 6] However, in 2020, he only caught a mere two passes for 27 yards, despite playing in nine games.[ 6] Following the season, Landers transferred to Toledo .[ 7] In 12 games played with Toledo, he posted 20 catches for 514 yards and five scores.[ 4] As Landers had one year of eligibility remaining due to the NCAA not counting the 2020 season against any football player's athletic eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic , he opted to return for a final season and transferred to Arkansas .[ 4] [ 8] He had his best season with them in 2022, recording 47 catches for 901 yards with eight touchdowns; his yards total was the eighth-best in school history in a single season, and his touchdown total was sixth.[ 1] Additionally, he recorded four 100-yard games, the fourth-highest total for an Arkansas player.[ 1] In his last game with Arkansas, Landers caught three passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in the Razorbacks' 55–53 triple-overtime victory over Kansas in the 2022 Liberty Bowl . Landers finished his college career having played in 50 games for three programs, posting 1,547 receiving yards off 79 receptions with 14 scores.[ 4]
Professional career
Seattle Seahawks
Landers posted the third-fastest 40-yard dash for a receiver at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine .[ 11] After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft , he was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent .[ 12] He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.[ 13] [ 14] He was released on September 20.[ 15]
Carolina Panthers
On September 26, 2023, Landers was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad.[ 16] He was released on December 5.[ 17]
Arlington Renegades
On January 23, 2024, Landers signed with the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL).[ 18] He was waived on March 10, 2024.[ 19]
San Antonio Brahmas
Landers was claimed off waivers by the San Antonio Brahmas on March 10, 2024.[ 20] He was waived on April 9, 2024.[ 21]
Cleveland Browns
On May 21, 2024, Landers signed with the Cleveland Browns .[ 22] He was waived on August 19.[ 23]
New England Patriots
On August 20, 2024, Landers was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots .[ 24] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[ 25] [ 26] He was waived again on October 8.[ 27]
References
^ a b c "NFL Draft Profile: Matt Landers, Wide Receiver, Arkansas Razorbacks" . Sports Illustrated . January 11, 2023.
^ a b c d Emerson, Seth (May 1, 2019). "The long and winding path taken by Matt Landers, with work still remaining" . The Athletic . Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023 .
^ Page, Rodney (February 1, 2017). "St. Petersburg WR Matt Landers sticks with Georgia" . Tampa Bay Times . Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023 .
^ a b c d e Katz, Jason (April 8, 2023). "Matt Landers, WR, Arkansas" . NFL Draft Scouting Report . Pro Football Network . Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023 .
^ Mixon, Josh (May 2, 2019). "Landers could be Georgia's answer at wide receiver" . The Macon Telegraph . p. B1, B3 – via Newspapers.com .
^ a b Reno, Harrison (May 15, 2022). "Former UGA WR Matt Landers Transferring to Arkansas" . Sports Illustrated .
^ Strack, Jordan (February 3, 2021). "Toledo football adds wide receiver transfer from Georgia" . WTOL . Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023 .
^ Wayne, E. (May 16, 2022). "Arkansas gets KJ Jefferson another weapon from the transfer portal" . USA Today . Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023 .
^ "Matt Landers Draft and Combine Prospect Profile" . NFL.com . Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023 .
^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Matt Landers College Football Profile" . DraftScout.com . Archived from the original on May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023 .
^ Goodson, Connor (March 7, 2023). "Arkansas WR Matt Landers impresses scouts at 2023 NFL Combine" . USA Today . Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023 .
^ "Seahawks Sign 25 Undrafted Free Agents, Six 2023 Draft Picks" . Seahawks.com . May 12, 2023. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023 .
^ Boyle, John (August 29, 2023). "Seahawks Make Roster Moves, Establish Initial 2023 53-Man Roster" . Seahawks.com .
^ Boyle, John (August 30, 2023). "Seahawks Sign 15 To Practice Squad, Including CB Artie Burns" . Seahawks.com .
^ Boyle, John (September 20, 2023). "Seahawks Sign CB Artie Burns Off Practice Squad; Place DE Mike Morris On IR" . Seahawks.com .
^ "Panthers' updated practice squad after Tuesday's signing of Matt Landers" . Panthers Wire . September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023 .
^ Rizzutti, Anthony. "Panthers' updated practice squad after addition of Jake Luton" . Panthers Wire . Retrieved December 6, 2023 .
^ "The UFL Agrees to Terms with 20 Players" . UFLBoard.com . January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024 .
^ "UFL Teams Set their Training Camp Rosters to 58" . UFLBoard.com . March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024 .
^ "UFL Player Transactions, Sunday March 10, 2024" . UFLBoard.com . March 10, 2024. Retrieved March 10, 2024 .
^ "UFL Transactions" . UFL News and Discussion . Retrieved April 10, 2024 .
^ "Browns sign WR Matt Landers" . ClevelandBrowns.com . May 21, 2024.
^ "Browns sign LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle and T Chim Okorafor" . ClevelandBrowns.com . August 19, 2024.
^ "Patriots Claim WR Matt Landers and Place Rookie WR JaQuae Jackson on Injured Reserve" . Patriots.com . Retrieved August 21, 2024 .
^ "Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach the 53-Man Roster Limit" . Patriots.com . August 27, 2024.
^ "Patriots Sign Seven Players to the Practice Squad" . Patriots.com . August 28, 2024.
^ "Patriots Make a Series of Roster Moves" . www.patriots.com . Retrieved October 9, 2024 .