Brian Mattes Class: Senior Hometown: Larksville, PA High School: Wyoming Valley West Height / Weight: 6-6 / 287 Position: Offensive Line Birthdate: 12/28/1983

CAREER: Veteran who could play a key role on the offensive line this season ... approved for extra season of eligibility by Faculty Board on Athletics since he did not play as rookie in 2002 ... could see significant playing time this season ... has played in 28 games during his Irish career, mostly on special teams.

2005 (SENIOR): Veteran reserve who saw action at offensive guard and on special teams ... played in nine games in a reserve role ... logged 21:06 of playing time with six special teams appearances.

2004 (JUNIOR): Played in 10 games (one as a reserve tackle), primarily on special teams ... saw his only action on the offensive line during the Washington game ... made 36 special teams appearances and logged 8:01 of playing time.

2003 (SOPHOMORE): Played in nine games, three as a reserve left offensive tackle ... was primarily Jim Molinaro's backup while also contributing on special teams ... played on the offensive line against Florida State, BYU and Stanford ... made first career appearance on special teams versus Washington State ... saw his first action on the line versus Florida State, playing at left tackle ... played some time on the offensive line at left tackle versus BYU and Stanford ... saw his most significant playing time against Stanford when he played most of the fourth quarter ... logged 8:41 on offense and made 28 special teams appearances.

2002 (FRESHMAN): Did not see action as a freshman defensive end.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School in Plymouth, Pa. ... an Associated Press Pennsylvania Big School all-state pick at defensive end as a junior and at tight end as a senior ... earned three letters in football at defensive end and tight end ... made 70 tackles with 13 sacks and nine tackles for loss, plus two blocked kicks on defense in 2001 ... also caught 34 passes at tight end for 400 yards and two TDs as a senior ... made 31 catches as a junior and 20 as a sophomore ... led his conference in receiving as a senior ... had 74 tackles, 10 sacks and 11 tackles for loss as a junior, helping his team post a 10-2 record ... team captain as a senior ... finished with career totals of 82 catches for 1,062 yards and 10 TDs to go with 185 tackles (40 solo), 22 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, two fumble recoveries, two fumbles caused and two blocked kicks ... received the Joe Hosinki Memorial Award from the Killer Bees Athletic Club for excellence in athletics ... earned four letters in basketball, averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds as a junior and captaining the team as a senior ... voted conference MVP in basketball as a senior, finishing with 1,540 career points ... played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio ... full name is Brian David Mattes ... born Dec. 28, 1983, in Kingston, Pa. ... older of two children ... father David played basketball at East Stroudsburg ... cousin John Paluck played football at Pittsburgh and with the NFL Washington Redskins ... graduated in May 2006, from Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business with a degree in finance ... enrolled in graduate studies ... earned 3.833 grade-point average in `05 fall semester, 3.834 in `06 spring semester and finished undergraduate career at 3.486 as Dean's List honoree.