Matt Stinchcomb’s combination of athletic and academic prowess are very rare.  Even more rare is the fact that his younger brother (Jon) was able to achieve much of the same athletic and academic success.  This is a legacy the Stinchcomb family is very proud of.  Growing up in Lilburn, Georgia, Matt knew that while the NFL was a real possibility for him, academics would be there long after athletics.  While at Parkview High School, Matt excelled in both.  Along with carrying a 4.0 grade point average in the classroom, Matt starred as a two-way lineman for the Panthers garnering honors such as a USA Today All-USA First Team selection, a Blue-Chip Illustrated All-American Dream Team honoree, a Parade Magazine All-American as well as First Team All-State honors.  With a potent combination of brawn and brains, collegiate athletic recruiters as well as academic recruiters from all over the country came calling for Matt to come to their program.

After much thought and deliberation, Matt chose to sign with the state’s own University of Georgia in 1995.  From the time that he stepped foot on Georgia’s campus, Matt made an immediate impact both on-the-field and in the classroom.  Over a four-year career (1995-1999), Matt started in 33 games at offensive tackle and played in all but one game. Throughout his storied collegiate career, Matt was named a finalist for the Lombardi Award (given annually to the nation’s top lineman), a two-time First Team All-America selection, the recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (given annually to the SEC’s premier lineman), as well as numerous All-SEC First Team selections. 

Like he was able to parlay his studies in high school with his athletics, Matt again managed to carry a near perfect 3.94 grade point average throughout college in a General Business major.  Like the awards he received for his performances on-the-field, Matt equaled those for his accomplishments off-the-field.  Matt was named the winner of the Woody Hayes National Scholar-Athlete award (given annually to one person, male or female, in college sports), the winner of the Ramsey Endowed Scholarship for Academic and Athletic Excellence, one of 11 members selected to the American Football Coaches Association “Good Works Team,” as well as a two-time Academic All-American and the Academic Player of the Year in 1998.