Catholic Central Football Star Has High Hopes for Senior Year, College

defensive lineman Matthew Godin, 17, has big goals for his senior season with the Shamrocks, as well as his college career at the University of Michigan.

Godin, who was ranked as the seventh-best college prospect in the state by Rivals.com, is very clear on what he thinks Detroit Catholic Central is capable of accomplishing this season.

“We want a state championship, nothing else.” Godin said. “We don’t want to lose a game even, because that just throws you off track.”

The Shamrocks are coming off of a 9-3 record in 2010, and the program has won 11 state championships in football.

Godin made his verbal commitment back in May to join the Wolverines in 2012. He is one of 20 players that have already committed to Michigan for the 2012 season, six of whom are from the Detroit area. Many prospects do not commit to a school until after their senior season is over. Godin said that he feels having already completed the recruiting process will help him perform on the field for the Shamrocks.

“It does really take a lot of the pressure off,” Godin said. “Now, I’m just with my team and playing football. Last year, my thoughts before every game were to win a state championship and to earn that (scholarship) offer.”

Godin’s coach at Catholic Central, Tom Mach, agrees that an early commitment will take some pressure off Godin for his senior season, but also said that it may bring new challenges for him, as well.

“It also puts pressure on because expectations are high,” Mach said. “I think other athletes will like to challenge him a bit more to see if that was warranted or not.”

While Godin said individual glory is not as important to him as team success, he also hopes to improve his statistical totals from last season. In 2010, Godin registered 66 tackles, 28 tackles-for-loss and two sacks.

“I’m looking to double my tackles-for-loss, just get a ridiculous amount,” Godin said. “I’d also like to up my sacks to around eight.”

Godin plays defensive tackle for Detroit Catholic Central because he is the biggest defensive lineman on his team, but will likely play defensive end with the Wolverines.

A native of Fenton, Godin had narrowed down his choices to three schools: University of Michigan, Michigan State University and University of Wisconsin, before ultimately deciding on becoming a Wolverine. He said that it was what he felt Michigan offered both on and field that led him to that choice.

“There’s a family feel there and some stability with the coaches,” Godin said. “Just talking with all of the other recruits that are going there—we want to win a national championship...I think we’ve got the drive to do that.”

Godin is listed at 6'6" and 270 lbs, but he said he would like to get up to 290 pounds by the time he gets to Michigan.

Detroit Catholic Central kicks off its 2011 season on Aug. 26 at Dearborn Fordson and plays its first home game on Sept. 9 against Inkster High School.

Editor's note: This story was updated to include a comment from Tom Mach.