Ross Matiscik Bio
Ross Matiscik is an American professional football long snapper for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Baylor Bears from 2015 to 2019. Matiscik was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and has since established himself as a reliable player in the league. He was born on September 13, 1996, in Youngstown, Ohio, and grew up in McKinney, Texas.
Early Life and Background
Matiscik attended McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, Texas, where he was a three-year letter winner in football. He played both offensive line and linebacker during his high school career, excelling particularly as a middle linebacker. As a senior, he earned all-state honors as a linebacker and was named District 6-6A’s Defensive MVP. Matiscik finished his high school career with impressive statistics, recording 233 tackles, 12 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 1 blocked field goal. Despite these accomplishments, he was not recruited by any Division I programs coming out of high school.
Matiscik chose to continue his football career at the next level by joining the Baylor Bears football program as a walk-on in 2015. He redshirted his true freshman season, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his career trajectory.
Path to the NFL
During his redshirt year at Baylor, Matiscik was moved to the long snapper position, a decision that would define his professional career. After transitioning to the role, he became the Bears’ primary long snapper for four consecutive seasons. In addition to his long-snapping duties, Matiscik also served as a reserve linebacker for the Baylor defense, demonstrating his versatility and football intelligence.
The journey from an undrafted high school player with no Division I offers to an NFL roster spot showcased Matiscik’s determination and work ethic. His ability to master a specialized position while contributing on defense at a major college program caught the attention of NFL scouts.
Ross Matiscik Career
Jacksonville Jaguars (2020–Present)
Matiscik signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2020. He impressed coaching staff during training camp and made the 53-man roster out of camp, beating out incumbent long snapper Matthew Orzech for the starting role. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, marking the beginning of his professional career.
On April 29, 2022, Matiscik signed a landmark five-year, $5.965 million contract extension with the Jaguars, securing his place with the team through the 2026 season. The deal made him one of the highest-paid long snappers in the league at the time and reflected the organization’s confidence in his abilities.
Pro Bowl and All-Pro Recognition (2023–2025)
The 2023 season marked Matiscik’s breakout year in the NFL. On January 3, 2024, he was selected to his first Pro Bowl, recognizing his outstanding performance during the 2023 campaign. For his efforts, he was also named to the Associated Press All-Pro First Team and the NFL Players Association All-Pro First Team. Remarkably, Matiscik led the entire league in total tackles with eight among long snappers during the 2023 season and recorded both a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Perhaps most impressively, he had never recorded a bad snap since his NFL debut in 2020.
Matiscik continued his elite performance into the 2024 season, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection and another First-team All-Pro honor from the NFL Players Association. His consistency and reliability made him one of the most respected long snappers in professional football.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Matiscik was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl on December 23, 2025, further solidifying his status among the league’s top performers at his position. His sustained excellence has made him an invaluable member of the Jacksonville Jaguars roster.
Long Snapper Skills and Strengths
Matiscik has established himself as one of the most reliable long snappers in the NFL. His consistency is highlighted by the fact that he has never had a bad snap since his debut in 2020, a remarkable achievement in a position where precision is paramount. His background as a former linebacker gives him an understanding of defensive schemes that benefits his special teams work. The extension he signed in 2022, worth nearly $6 million over five years, reflects the market’s recognition of his elite performance and consistency.
Ross Matiscik Career Wins and Honors
Throughout his NFL career, Matiscik has accumulated significant recognition for his specialized role as a long snapper. His accomplishments span multiple seasons and include both individual accolades and team success.
NFL Honors and Awards
Matiscik has been named to the Pro Bowl three consecutive times, earning selections in 2023, 2024, and 2025. He has received First-team All-Pro honors twice, in 2023 and 2025, while being named Second-team All-Pro in 2024. These accolades place him among the elite long snappers in the league and validate his status as one of the best at his position in professional football.
Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Matiscik has played in 101 career NFL games, all with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has recorded 22 total tackles, forced 1 fumble, and recovered 1 fumble. His durability and availability have been crucial assets for the Jaguars’ special teams units over his five-plus seasons in the league.
Ross Matiscik Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Football runs deep in the Matiscik family. Ross has a brother named Brent Matiscik who also pursued a professional football career. Brent played four seasons for the TCU Horned Frogs as a long snapper before being signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent, following a similar path to the NFL as his brother.
Personal Life
Despite his professional success, Matiscik maintains strong connections to both his birthplace and hometown. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he grew up in McKinney, Texas, where he developed his football skills at McKinney Boyd High School. He maintains an active presence on social media with accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked another strong year for Matiscik in his sixth season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His selection to his third consecutive Pro Bowl in December 2025 demonstrated his continued excellence and reliability at the long snapper position. Matiscik’s performance throughout the season reinforced his reputation as one of the most consistent specialists in the league.
The Jacksonville Jaguars organization has shown significant confidence in Matiscik, rewarding his performance with a substantial contract extension in 2022. His partnership with the team has been mutually beneficial, with his reliable snapping helping the Jaguars’ special teams operate smoothly. Looking forward, Matiscik remains a cornerstone of the Jaguars’ special teams units and one of the top long snappers in professional football.