Hercules Mata'afa ranks sixth nationally in tackles for loss and has become the guy opponents have to game plan against. His secret? The wrestling skills he picked up during a childhood spent fighting his siblings and national-caliber wrestlers.
The secret is out.
Hercules Mata’afa is no longer Washington State’s covert pass rushing weapon. Not after his red-hot start to the year.
As the No. 11 Cougars (5-0) travel to Eugene to play Oregon (4-1) this weekend, Mata’afa tops the Pac-12 with 10 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks, and ranks sixth nationally in TFLs.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mata’afa’s leads all interior defenders nationally with 19 quarterback pressures through five games, and as USC coach Clay Helton will attest, no offensive coordinator can afford to take his eyes off Mata’afa.