Easteview's Matt Garin Gains Notice

Matt Garin, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive end from Apple Valley (MN) Eastview, attended the Minnesota Gopher Junior Day and is starting to attract plenty of recruiting attention. Garin has picked up several Division I offers and is gaining interest from several top programs. GoldenSports.Net caught up with his father, Dave, recently to learn the latest on his recruitment.

Matt Garin was named Associated Press second team after leading the Lightning to the Prep Bowl semifinals and an 11-2 mark. Garin was the team's leading tackler from the defensive end position.

Garin's father, Dave, played high school football at Bloomington Kennedy. He played at St. Thomas University, Normandale Community College and UNLV.

"I only played four games at Normandale before hurting my knee cap. I was getting recruited by Minnesota before the injury," he said.

The elder Garin was also a boxer and hockey player growing up. He said that his son is getting plenty of recruiting interest after a strong junior season and sending out his video tape to many top schools.

"He has scholarship offers from Washington State, Oregon State and Air Force and is getting interest from Minnesota, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa," Dave said.

Garin attended juniors days at Minnesota and Northern Illinois and plans to visit the three schools that have extended him a scholarship offer this spring.

His father said that Garin is starting to schedule one-day football camps this summer.

"I think that we are going to Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota and maybe Wisconsin for now," he said.

Garin is also a standout lacrosse player, according to his father.

"They started practice Saturday and start games April 12," Dave said. "They have the talent to go to the state tournament May 23. The program is really growing fast and they have good depth."

Garin's father said that his son does not have a favorite yet.

"No, he doesn't. When he was younger, he grew up a Gopher fan. He is a pretty mature kid for his age and he has nothing against going out of state and seeing the world."

Eastview has produced Gopher players John Shevlin, Ryan Ruckdashel and Jason Meinke.