Guggemos hoping to follow family footsteps after transfer from Gophers to St. Thomas
For many familiar with Matt Guggemos’ football journey, his standout performance in St. Thomas’ win over Stetson last Saturday surely had the feel of a crowning moment in a career
that included high school stardom at Benilde-St. Margaret’s and three seasons with the Gophers before joining the Tommies.
Guggemos, who blocked a punt in the end zone and covered the ball for a touchdown on the game’s opening series and added an interception in the most productive game he has had in his six-year collegiate career, says hold that sentiment.
The 6-foot-1, 212-pound safety/nickel back who has been passionate about the game since he started playing in the third grade has long had the mindset that he is going to play as long as he can. And yes, that includes pursuing a professional career.
If that seems far-fetched, consider that the same held true for his dad, Neal, who was an all-American defensive back for the Tommies in the 1980s. A undrafted free agent, he played for three teams in the NFL, including two seasons with the Vikings.
Matt’s older brother Nick, a Tommies’ wide receiver from 2014-2018, signing as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks as a tight end in 2021 and had brief stints with Buffalo, Cleveland and Green Bay.
“My dad was a small-town guy from Winsted, Minnesota, and he played nine-man football in high school,” Guggemos said. “As a kid, for him to make it to the NFL, that was very inspirational to me. It has motivated me that if you work as hard as you can and do things the right way, anything is possible.
“My brother applied the same mindset and he was able to start at Division III, then go through Covid when everything was shut down. He worked (away from football) for two years before he got his first NFL opportunity.”
Guggemos joined the Gophers as preferred walk-on in 2019. After redshirting as a freshman, he did not see any game action the next two seasons. For the first time, his all-out commitment to playing football wavered a bit.
Guggemos met with Gophers coach P.J. Fleck in early February of 2022 and informed him that he was leaving the program. Due in part to a heavy course load, Guggemos waited until May to put his name in the transfer portal.
“I started to miss it,” he said. “I went to the Minnesota spring game and saw I lot of my friends. When I told them I hadn’t entered the portal yet, they offered me a lot of encouragement. They told me that there were a lot of teams that could use me. That sat with me well.
“I was a 22-year-old guy, I was healthy. It was like, I don’t want to be looking back when I’m 40 and wishing I didn’t hang it up. I quickly realized that I owed it to myself and everyone who help me get to where I was to keep playing.”
Looking back at his time with the Gophers, Guggemos believes he showed he had the ability to reach his goal of playing college football at the highest level.
“I felt like I competed with my teammates every day and I held my ground,” he said. “I strongly feel I could have competed at that level. For any player, it’s frustrating when things don’t go your way. But that’s life.
“You know going in as a walk-on that it’s going to be tough. You’re competing against guys who are three-star, four-star athletes.”
Guggemos’ playing time with the Tommies has steadily increased since his arrival to where he is now an integral part of the defense.
“He’s really starting to come into his own,” St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso said, “and everybody does that at a different time. I’m grateful that he came back for his extra year to finish his master’s because I think he’s seeing himself play his best football right now.”
Guggemos agrees with that assessment.
“Transferring is never easy,” he said. “You have to learn a whole new system. Everything’s new — new team, new chemistry with the coaches. I had an injury and a surgery right when I came in that didn’t make things any easier.
“But listening to the coaches and continuing to develop as a player has allowed me to keep improving.”
Guggemos also credits his brother with helping him try to maximize his potential.
“We work at the same company,” Guggemos said, “So, in the summer after work, we’d workout together. He would run routes against me. It kind of took me back to my Minnesota days, where you’re competing against high-level athletes every day.
“I was able to hold my own against him. That gives me confidence in my ability. For three years (at the U) I played against Rashod Bateman, Tyler Johnson, and other guys who are now in the NFL. It has helped me to know where I’m at and where I need to get to.”
Any opportunities to join an NFL team likely will involve following the same path as his dad and brother as an undrafted free agent.
“My brother has an agent who is well-connected with a lot of NFL scouts,” he said. “When that time comes I will use my available resources to see what my options are. But right now I’m just focused on being the best player I can be for my teammates and my coaches.”
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Guggemos hoping to follow family footsteps after transfer from Gophers to St. Thomas
For many familiar with Matt Guggemos’ football journey, his standout performance in St. Thomas’ win over Stetson last Saturday surely had the feel of a crowning moment in a career
that included high school stardom at Benilde-St. Margaret’s and three seasons with the Gophers before joining the Tommies.
Guggemos, who blocked a punt in the end zone and covered the ball for a touchdown on the game’s opening series and added an interception in the most productive game he has had in his six-year collegiate career, says hold that sentiment.
The 6-foot-1, 212-pound safety/nickel back who has been passionate about the game since he started playing in the third grade has long had the mindset that he is going to play as long as he can. And yes, that includes pursuing a professional career.
If that seems far-fetched, consider that the same held true for his dad, Neal, who was an all-American defensive back for the Tommies in the 1980s. A undrafted free agent, he played for three teams in the NFL, including two seasons with the Vikings.
Matt’s older brother Nick, a Tommies’ wide receiver from 2014-2018, signing as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks as a tight end in 2021 and had brief stints with Buffalo, Cleveland and Green Bay.
“My dad was a small-town guy from Winsted, Minnesota, and he played nine-man football in high school,” Guggemos said. “As a kid, for him to make it to the NFL, that was very inspirational to me. It has motivated me that if you work as hard as you can and do things the right way, anything is possible.
“My brother applied the same mindset and he was able to start at Division III, then go through Covid when everything was shut down. He worked (away from football) for two years before he got his first NFL opportunity.”
Guggemos joined the Gophers as preferred walk-on in 2019. After redshirting as a freshman, he did not see any game action the next two seasons. For the first time, his all-out commitment to playing football wavered a bit.
Guggemos met with Gophers coach P.J. Fleck in early February of 2022 and informed him that he was leaving the program. Due in part to a heavy course load, Guggemos waited until May to put his name in the transfer portal.
“I started to miss it,” he said. “I went to the Minnesota spring game and saw I lot of my friends. When I told them I hadn’t entered the portal yet, they offered me a lot of encouragement. They told me that there were a lot of teams that could use me. That sat with me well.
“I was a 22-year-old guy, I was healthy. It was like, I don’t want to be looking back when I’m 40 and wishing I didn’t hang it up. I quickly realized that I owed it to myself and everyone who help me get to where I was to keep playing.”
Looking back at his time with the Gophers, Guggemos believes he showed he had the ability to reach his goal of playing college football at the highest level.
“I felt like I competed with my teammates every day and I held my ground,” he said. “I strongly feel I could have competed at that level. For any player, it’s frustrating when things don’t go your way. But that’s life.
“You know going in as a walk-on that it’s going to be tough. You’re competing against guys who are three-star, four-star athletes.”
Guggemos’ playing time with the Tommies has steadily increased since his arrival to where he is now an integral part of the defense.
“He’s really starting to come into his own,” St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso said, “and everybody does that at a different time. I’m grateful that he came back for his extra year to finish his master’s because I think he’s seeing himself play his best football right now.”
Guggemos agrees with that assessment.
“Transferring is never easy,” he said. “You have to learn a whole new system. Everything’s new — new team, new chemistry with the coaches. I had an injury and a surgery right when I came in that didn’t make things any easier.
“But listening to the coaches and continuing to develop as a player has allowed me to keep improving.”
Guggemos also credits his brother with helping him try to maximize his potential.
“We work at the same company,” Guggemos said, “So, in the summer after work, we’d workout together. He would run routes against me. It kind of took me back to my Minnesota days, where you’re competing against high-level athletes every day.
“I was able to hold my own against him. That gives me confidence in my ability. For three years (at the U) I played against Rashod Bateman, Tyler Johnson, and other guys who are now in the NFL. It has helped me to know where I’m at and where I need to get to.”
Any opportunities to join an NFL team likely will involve following the same path as his dad and brother as an undrafted free agent.
“My brother has an agent who is well-connected with a lot of NFL scouts,” he said. “When that time comes I will use my available resources to see what my options are. But right now I’m just focused on being the best player I can be for my teammates and my coaches.”
Related Articles
Expected to finish last, Gophers’ Ben Johnson pushes back on Big Ten basketball preseason poll
Gophers football at UCLA: Keys to game, how to watch and who has edge
Gophers football: 1962 Rose Bowl was a program pinnacle but came after protests and trash talk
Gophers transfer guard Tyler Cochran has surgery, out until December
Gophers football: Big Ten won’t fine for field storming after USC upset
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