Three-star LB Gahm says he's thrilled to be committed to Virginia
When Lone Star State native Matt Gahm picked UVa back in mid-June, it was a special moment for him and his family. Now, more than six months later, the three-star linebacker is coming off a state title and looking forward to the transition ahead.
"Our team just won the state championship," he told CavsCorner this weekend, "so things have been very busy with that this fall and winter. I haven't been really paying any attention to anything on the recruiting trail except obviously with UVa. That's really been my focus since I committed.
"Like Coach (Bronco) Mendenhall always says, once you're committed you're committed and I believe my word is my bond. So I haven't had any interest in pursuing any other schools or anything like that. I've been 100 percent locked in with UVa and winning a state championship, which I was very fortunate to be able to do."
Highland Park defeated Temple 16-7 for the Class 5A Division I title on December 17, not only the end result of a lot of hard work but also a statement that served as proof to those who doubted it could happen.
"We were picked to lose from the second round on," Gahm explained. "So we were not favored to win the state championship by any means. It was honestly shocking to pretty much everyone that we even made it there, so obviously a lot of people expected us to lose. It was a really good defensive game and I personally was really pleased with my performance in the playoffs. I thought I stepped up and made a lot of plays. I thought we played a lot of good teams and as everyone knows, there's great competition in Texas. Even in our district, we had numerous four- and five-star recruits that we were playing every single week. It was a challenge.
"But that's the best part about playing in Texas," he added. "It was a great year and I really enjoyed it. Winning it was just the culmination of it all."
Gahm had a standout season at OLB, where he finished with 104 tackles (63 solo) with six sacks, five forced fumbles, and two INTs (including one returned for a score). He also blocked a punt and recovered it for a TD. Considering he was at defensive end a year ago, his production level was pretty impressive.
"Last year, I played defensive end," he explained, "but that was largely due to injuries. So this year I was moving back to outside linebacker and that was something I was looking forward to because linebacker is my natural position. I knew that would make things easier for me and I'd be able to use a lot of things I learned at defensive end that transferred over. So it was great to be back at linebacker and moving in space and making open-field tackles.
"I was definitely looking to have a good senior year," Gahm added, "and I think I did that. I was very pleased with how it went."
After garnering AP All-State 5A honorable mention honors, his next stop will be Charlottesville. Unlike several of his fellow 2017 commits, though, Gahm will have to wait until the summer to enroll. But his comfort level with the staff and his future teammates continues to build and he's clearly very excited for what's ahead.
"Before the dead period, Coach (Shane) Hunter, the inside linebackers coach, came down and visited with me the week before my in-home visit with Coach Mendenhall, Coach (Jason) Beck, and Coach (Robert) Anae," Gahm recalled. "Coach Hunter came down and watched me in practice so that was great. He's a great guy and I'm really looking forward to playing under him so I can't wait for that. Then when Coach Mendenhall and them came down, that was awesome.
"Coach Mendenhall is the reason we're all committed and he's the main reason we're all so excited about coming to UVa," he added. "It's always great to talk with him. Obviously there's a good bit of distance between Dallas and Charlottesville so it's nice to have them come down and I enjoyed having them and I know my parents did as well."
Now up to 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, Gahm said that he's expecting to be slotted inside.
"Right now, they're looking at me inside but there's always a chance I could play outside," he said. "They're not ruling anything out. And I'm good with it either way, honestly. I would love to play inside because I think that's what fits me best but Coach Hunter and Coach (Kelly) Poppinga are both great coaches and I love them both. It'd be great to play under either one of them. But to me, inside just seems to fit me great, seems like a great option for me. It fits my background and skillset. But I also think I could fit outside after playing there this year so if they thought that was best, I'd be all about it too. I'm just looking forward to doing whatever the team wants me to do and needs me to do. I'm not going to be selfish about it at all. That's my priority."
He figures to learn more about that and so much more when he and a host of other recruits arrive on Grounds for their official visit on the weekend of January 20. Needless to say, they have a lot to get done in a short amount of time.
"The official visit really is about the details," Gahm said. "There's a lot of minute stuff we haven't gone over yet and that all gets explained and laid out for you on the official visit, so that's great. We get to talk to the academic advisor more and maybe get to figure out what the dorm situation will be. That will be great, to learn more about the day-to-day life we'll have there.
"And it's also great to meet the other guys and spend time with them," he added. "We text a lot and talk online but a lot of them I haven't been able to meet yet. We're very connected and they're all great guys so I'm really looking forward to hanging out with them that weekend for sure."
So what's he looking to improve on this offseason to prepare him for the eventual transition to college ball?
"My speed and flexibility is probably my No. 1 thing," he said. "I'm not really looking to put on a lot of weight or anything. The coaches actually told me not to so speed and flexibility are my main things. I really want to improve my quickness and my four-yard speed. I think that will really help with my game."
As he looks back on the recruiting process and his high school career, Gahm says he's thankful that so much has paid off to allow him the opportunity that awaits.
"It's a great knowing I'm going to a top-university in the ACC," he said, "and playing Division I football with great coaches who I'm excited to play for and learn from. That just makes it that much better."
"It's a dream come true," Gahm added. "And I'm just so excited to get to work this offseason and these next six months as I'm kind of waiting are going to be a grind but I'm looking forward to it and trying to contribute as a freshman. I can't wait."
