University of Connecticut Athletics
Matt Peart Drafted by New York Giants
4/25/2020 12:45:00 AM | Football
by Danny Barletta
Former UConn offensive tackle Matt Peart was selected with the 99th overall pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the New York Giants on Friday night. He became the 42nd UConn player selected in the NFL Draft and the first since Foley Fatukasi was selected in the sixth round in 2018. He also became just the 12th UConn player selected in the first three rounds of the draft.
The selection marked the fifth time the Giants have drafted a UConn player, the last time being in 2015 when they took wide receiver Geremy Davis in the sixth round. Peart is the second UConn offensive lineman that the Giants have drafted in recent memory, as they took Will Beatty in the second round in 2009.
Peart was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and he moved to The Bronx, New York, with his family as a child, where he grew up a huge Giants fan.
He never even played football until high school at The Governor's Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, but once he did, he excelled.
Peart was recruited by UConn and redshirted his first season in 2015 to put on size and muscle. After that, he went on to start all 48 games of his college career. He was a left tackle for his first two seasons before moving to the other side of the line and playing his final two years at right tackle. He was a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection in his final season, and he also served as one of the team's captains that year.
Peart was a model of consistency during his time at UConn, and his hard work and dedication earned the respect of his coaches and teammates.
"I'm very happy for Matt, as he is a young man that enhanced our program in many ways," head coach Randy Edsall said. "He worked extremely hard, was a tremendous leader and was the ultimate team player. He has a bright future ahead in the NFL and I know he will seize this opportunity. I'm very proud of Matt."
With the Giants, Peart joins a talented group of tackles highlighted by two-time Super Bowl champion Nate Solder and fellow 2020 draft pick Andrew Thomas, who was selected fourth overall. Peart will look to contribute right away to his new team and will likely compete for a starting tackle spot this season.
