Matt Goncalves declared for the 2024 NFL Draft earlier this month, forgoing his remaining eligibility, and he will be taking his talents to the Shrine Bowl next month.
It remains to be seen whether or not Goncalves’ season-ending foot injury, which he suffered against West Virginia in September will be healed by the time the Shrine Bowl rolls around, but it will be an opportunity — at the very least — to meet and communicate with NFL personnel.
Goncalves is one a number of a Panthers to accept Shrine Bowl invites over the last couple of seasons, with Haba Baldonado and Damar Hamlin in attendance recently.
Goncalves started all three games he played in last season, filling the crucial left tackle pivot, and he was expected to break out even further after a strong 2022 season.
Goncalves earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2022, taking 830 snaps last season, which only trailed Jake Kradel offensively, and he flashed the ability to play on either side of the line the process.
He finished his career with appearances in 35 games (making 21 starts dating back to 2020), and his size (6-foot-6, 330 pounds) and versatility (able to play on the left and right side of the line) should entice scouts.
He earned a 71.9 PFF offensive grade last season, with 76.2 in pass blocking and a 67.2 in run blocking, in 830 snaps — starting all 13 games last season. According to PFF, he didn’t allow a sack while allowing five quarterback hits and 12 quarterback hurries. In 165 snaps this season, he allowed just four pressures and three hurries.
Goncalves would join the likes of Carter Warren (fourth round, 2023), Jimmy Morrissey (seventh round, 2021), Brian O’Neill (second round, 2018), Dorian Johnson (fourth round, 2017) and Adam Bisnowaty (sixth round, 2017) as Pitt offensive linemen to be selected over the last handful of NFL Drafts.
The 2024 Shrine Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 1 at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas.
