Idaho Vandals Safety with Emerging Defensive Impact
While the query mentions 'Matt Rutgers' at Idaho as a DL, available records identify Matt Irwin (No. 28) as a FRESHMAN Safety for the 2025 Idaho Vandals, not a defensive lineman. In his 2024 debut season, Irwin played in seven games, tallying four total tackles and making his first career appearance in a win. His differentiator lies in his high-intensity, playmaking mentality as a safety rather than a DL, with a clean injury history and a personality described by coaches as resilient and quick to adapt. Though not a fit for a DL role, Irwin is an excellent fit for teams needing a dynamic, young safety with emerging defensive instincts and room for growth in the 2025–2026 seasons[1][6].
