EWU senior defensive tackle Matt Sommer wants to get back to playoffs

Matt Sommer is ready to go out the way he came in – as a champion. The 300-pound defensive tackle was part of two straight Big Sky Conference title teams in 2013 and 2014. He expects to earn a third in this, his senior season.

“He’s been an anchor up front and he’s had an impact every year,” coach Beau Baldwin said. “He’s a class act and does things right in the classroom and treats people right. I’m excited for him to have a great senior year.”

Sommer is excited too, but it doesn’t always show. “I haven’t been a huge vocal guy in front of the players – I like leading by example,” he said.

To back that up, the run-stopping Sommer has 71 career tackles in his 40-game Eastern career, and his 24 starts are second among returning defensive players, behind linebacker Miquiyah Zamora’s 32. Last year, Sommer was a third-team all-Big Sky selection after starting all 11 games.

If defensive improvement starts on the line, Sommer will be the one to step up. The Eagles struggled last year, especially on third down in November. Tough run defense on first and second down will help the Eagles get off the field.

“Not making the playoffs last year was pretty tough on all of us,” he said. “We weren’t happy with the way the season ended.”