Billy Matan is an early-impact freshman linebacker with real size and special-teams bite
In the 2026 season, Holy Cross freshman LB Billy Matan has already flashed with a tackle in the opener against Colgate, and his profile fits the classic downhill defender mold: 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, active, and physical. He arrives from Gonzaga College (D.C.) with captain-adjacent intangibles—recognized for leadership and effort traits like an Unsung Hero Award—and brings a ready-made frame for the Patriot League. The appeal is upside: he looks like a tone-setter who can grow into a reliable, high-motor run defender and special-teams weapon.
