ROYERSFORD >> Matt Zollers, the highest-rated football prospect in Pennsylvania for the Class of 2025, revealed his decision to commit to the University of Missouri during a press conference held at Spring-Ford High School on Thursday afternoon.
Choosing the Tigers over contenders such as Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Georgia was a challenging decision for the talented Spring-Ford quarterback, who admitted to deliberating on his choice until Thursday morning.
Expressing his rationale, Zollers stated, “I simply felt the most at ease at Missouri. My primary focus was establishing a strong connection with both the players and the coaching staff.”
Currently a junior, Zollers ranks as the 46th top prospect nationally in the Class of 2025 according to the On3 Industry Ranking, which consolidates ratings from various recruitment services to create a consensus.
As the fifth-ranked quarterback in his class and the leading player in Pennsylvania, Zollers made a significant impact during his junior season at Spring-Ford. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 205 pounds, he set new records for single-season and career passing at the school, amassing 2,917 yards with 37 touchdowns and a mere two interceptions, guiding the Rams to a 9-3 record in 2023.
Following a standout season that earned him a unanimous All-State selection, Zollers’ recruitment intensified, with 21 FBS schools extending scholarship offers to him.
Spring-Ford coach Chad Brubaker commended Zollers’ handling of the recruitment process, noting, “Matt has managed the attention, travel, and disruptions to his routine exceptionally well. He has remained modest, level-headed, and diligent. I am incredibly proud of him as a young man and as a representative of our football program here at Spring-Ford.”
Despite already holding the career touchdown pass record at Spring-Ford and being on the cusp of surpassing the school’s passing yardage milestone, Zollers still has one season left to play.
The press conference on Thursday reflected the intense competition surrounding the recruitment of a PAC player in recent memory. Zollers, accompanied by his parents Pete and Beth, as well as Coach Brubaker, sat at a table in the Principal’s Conference Room at the high school. After an introduction by Coach Brubaker, Zollers expressed gratitude to his parents, friends, family, and coaches.
Acknowledging the influence of his coaches across various sports, Zollers, who also excels in basketball at Spring-Ford, stated, “They have imparted invaluable knowledge to me.”
A poignant moment during the conference featured Zollers acknowledging the Spring-Ford student section after a successful play against Perkiomen Valley, captured in a photograph by Austin Hertzog of MediaNews Group.
Missouri’s success in the Southeastern Conference, particularly their 11-2 record in 2023 culminating in a victory over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, played a pivotal role in Zollers’ decision. He becomes Missouri’s first commitment in the Class of 2025, poised to lead a recruiting class that aims to challenge traditional SEC powerhouses like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU.
Zollers’ commitment to Missouri marks a significant milestone for the Tigers, positioning him as their highest-rated quarterback recruit since Blaine Gabbert in 2008, who went on to achieve success in the NFL.
Reflecting on his choice, Zollers emphasized the sense of stability and connection he felt with Missouri, emphasizing that the visit reinforced his initial positive impressions.
As he looks forward to his senior year and beyond, Zollers expressed relief at concluding the recruitment process, enabling him to focus on enjoying his remaining time in high school.