Ranked No. 7 in the preseason among all Division I FCS tight ends, Thayer is highly regarded as a potential pro prospect who has the size, speed and hands to play at the next level ... Capped an impressive spring with 3 receptions for 27 yards in the Maroon and White Game (4/21/12).
2011: Started all 11 games at tight end earned All-MVFC honorable mention honors ... Finished with pass receptions in 10 contests ... Was third on the team in receptions with 20 and second in receiving yards (247) and TDs (3) ... Snagged College Football Performance Awards honorable mention honors for National Tight End of the Week after collecting 3 receptions for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns against South Dakota State (10/29/11) ... Was MSU Offensive Player of the Week twice -- for SDSU game and for his efforts at No. 12 Oregon (9/17/11) after he had 3 receptions for 46 yards against the Ducks, including a 30-yard reception ... Had a 16-yard TD reception at Southern Illinois (9/24/11) in league opener ... Had a career-long 36-yard reception in win at Western Illinois (10/22/11) .. Named to MVFC Honor Roll as well as earning MSU Athletic Director[apos]s Honor Roll honors both semesters ... Had 7 receptions for 68 yards (9.7) in four spring 2011 scrimmages.
2010: Made an immediate impact in his first season at MSU, playing in all 11 games and earning 4 starts ... Had receptions in 7 games ... Finished the year with 10 catches for 109 yards to finish tied for sixth on the club in receptions ... Had his only TD of the year at Illinois State (9/25/10), a 24-yard catch ... Also had a 20-yard kickoff return at ISU ... Had 2 receptions for 29 yards in season opener against Eastern Kentucky (9/3/10) ... Also had a pair of catches at South Dakota State (11/6/10).
Iowa Western CC: Was MFC All-Region tight end as a freshman in 2009 at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs ... Had 15 catches for 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a freshman ... Was also an academic all-conference pick for the Reivers of Coach Scott Strohmeier ... Helped team to a 5-4 mark in the program[apos]s inaugural season.
High School: Was an all-conference and all-state pick as a high school senior at Bellevue (Neb.) East High for Coach Jerry Lovell ... Was an all-district selection his junior year and an all-district honorable mention as a sophomore ... Was also a LB for the Chieftans.
Personal: Matt Ross Thayer was born 9/15/89 in Omaha, Neb. ... Son of Ronald and Robin Thayer of Bellevue, Neb. ... Has a sister, Amanda ... Majoring in Criminology.
