Matthew Bergeron

Matthew Bergeron
refer to caption
Bergeron in 2023
No. 65 – Atlanta Falcons
Position:Guard
Personal information
Born: (2000-02-26) February 26, 2000 (age 24)
Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:315 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school:Cégep de Thetford (Quebec)
College:Syracuse (2019–2022)
NFL draft:2023 / round: 2 / pick: 38
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-ACC (2022)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2024
Games started:28
Games played:28
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Matthew Kambolambi Bergeron[1] (born February 26, 2000) is a Canadian professional football guard for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). A native of Quebec, he moved to the United States to play college football at Syracuse.

Early years

Bergeron was born in Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada, on February 26, 2000, to a Congolese father and Quebec-born mother.[2][3][4][5] He grew up as a native speaker of French, learning English in school. Bergeron attended Cégep de Thetford and played for their gridiron football team before enrolling at Syracuse University to play college football for the Syracuse Orange.[6][7] He graduated with a degree in social work from the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.[8]

College career

Bergeron played in 46 of Syracuse's games played through 4 seasons, with 39 starts between right tackle and left tackle.[4] He played in all 12 games as a freshman with five starts at right tackle.[9] He started all 11 of the Orange's games during his sophomore season, beginning the year at right tackle before moving to left tackle for the last eight games.[10] Bergeron was named honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2021.[11] He was named a team captain entering his junior year in 2022, being voted second-team All-ACC by the end of the season.[12][13] He also attended the 2023 Senior Bowl,[14] playing as a guard.[4]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 5+14 in
(1.96 m)
318 lb
(144 kg)
33+34 in
(0.86 m)
9+12 in
(0.24 m)
4.66 s 7.38 s 30.5 in
(0.77 m)
8 ft 7 in
(2.62 m)
Sources:[15][16]

The Atlanta Falcons selected Bergeron with the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft.[17][18][19] He was also ranked the #1 Canadian prospect ahead of the 2023 CFL Draft, but ultimately went undrafted.[20] He is the first NFL–draftee from his hometown of Victoriaville, Quebec.[19] As a rookie, he started in all 17 games in the 2023 season.[21]

References

  1. ^ Bussières, Ian (September 24, 2021). "L'ascension de Matthew Kabolambi Bergeron". Le Soleil.
  2. ^ Chauvette, Ghislain (June 25, 2020). "Une réalité qui doit changer". La Nouvelle Union et L’Avenir de l’Érable.
  3. ^ "Matthew Bergeron - Football". Syracuse University Athletics. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Leiker, Emily (April 28, 2023). "3 things to know about new Falcons OT Matthew Bergeron". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  5. ^ "Matthew Bergeron Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  6. ^ Bailey, Stephen (July 9, 2018). "6-6, 300-pound Canadian OT Matthew Bergeron commits". The Post-Standard. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  7. ^ "Le talent québécois brille à Syracuse". Le Journal de Québec (in French). November 2, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  8. ^ Cox, Jay (December 20, 2022). "A Lineman's Enduring Presence and Drive". Syracuse University. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "NFL Draft Profile: Matthew Bergeron, Offensive Lineman, Syracuse Orange". SI.com. August 2, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  10. ^ Leiker, Emily (August 10, 2022). "Once a history-making freshman, Matthew Bergeron is embracing his role as a leader". The Post-Standard. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  11. ^ "Football de la NCAA: une année de plus à Syracuse pour le Québécois Matthew Bergeron". Le Journal de Québec (in French). December 1, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  12. ^ "Football universitaire: Matthew Bergeron nommé capitaine par ses coéquipiers de Syracuse". Le Journal de Québec (in French). July 25, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  13. ^ "Clemson Leads With 12 Selection to All-ACC Football Teams". theacc.com. Atlantic Coast Conference. November 30, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  14. ^ Wall, Kevin (February 7, 2023). "Syracuse football: Matthew Bergeron improves NFL draft stock at Senior Bowl". Nunes Magician. SB Nation. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  15. ^ "Matthew Bergeron Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  16. ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Matthew Bergeron College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  17. ^ Bair, Scott; McElhaney, Tori (April 28, 2023). "The Falcons trade up, select Matthew Bergeron with the No. 38 overall 2023 NFL Draft pick". Atlanta Falcons (Press release). Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  18. ^ "Two Orange Selected in Top-75 Picks!". Syracuse University Athletics. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Leiker, Emily (April 28, 2023). "2023 NFL Draft: Matthew Bergeron selected No. 38 by Atlanta". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  20. ^ "Matthew Bergeron takes Top Spot in Spring Scouting Bureau Rankings". Canadian Football League. April 21, 2023.
  21. ^ "Matthew Bergeron 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 3, 2024.