TodayHahn gets a shot with Raiders
Despite ACL, PSU fullback picked up by Oakland
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Article RatingThe scar that is displayed on Matt Hahn’s right knee reminds him every day.
On Oct. 20, Hahn, playing the game of his life as a Penn State football player, cut back against an Indiana defender and shredded his right ACL.
His season and Penn State career had officially closed.
Fast forward nearly seven months later, Hahn is preparing to head out to the West Coast where he will suit up with the Oakland Raiders in rookie mini camp.
His knee is about 95 percent, but his determination to recover never sunk below 100.
“I was ecstatic,” said Hahn who was still in State College last week. “My knee feels great, I’m running around, I’m cutting, I can definitely perform in a mini camp, I just didn’t know if it was going to happen right away.
“There are a lot of guys out there that are not coming off an ACL injury. The season I was having, I figured there would be a chance I could get picked in the later rounds. Once I got hurt I realized that realistically, getting drafted wasn’t going to happen. Getting signed as a free agent is all we could hope for and definitely the best possible situation.”
The Raiders are one of just a handful of NFL teams that still utilize the fullback as something more than just another blocker. A season ago, starter Justin Griffith caught 26 passes and scored one touchdown.
“If there was one team that was a perfect fit for me, it was the Raiders,” said Hahn. “(Griffith) is a guy that is similar to me — a big, athletic tailback (style) at 235. I’m not one of those guys who is 260 pounds that some teams have.
“Going to the Raiders is probably the best fit for me because they run the West Coast offense and a lot of check downs and their fullback is in the passing game a lot.”
After the injury Hahn went through the two-week procedure known as “pre-hab” where the athlete strengthens the leg muscles in preparation for the surgery itself.
The initial rehabilitation consisted of just icing down his swollen knee at first, wearing compression boots to keep the knee stable. Then, after the surgery performed by Penn State team physician Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, removal of the stitches, then weight lifting.
Hahn did participate in Penn State’s pro-day, taking the Wonderlic exam and he was interviewed by team officials from across the NFL. He did not participate in any field drills except he did the bench press in front of scouts.
The Raiders were not one of the NFL teams he talked to, but once they got hold of his highlight DVD, they were immediately impressed.
Hahn is not the first Penn State fullback to get a shot with the Raiders. Steve Smith was drafted by the Raiders in the third round of the 1987 NFL draft and blocked for greats Marcus Allen and Bo Jackson.
Now the Long Island native has the chance to block for first-round draft pick Darren McFadden, drafted fifth overall.
What should have impressed the Raiders even more, aside from physical on-field ability, was Hahn’s dedication to rebuilding his knee.
Hahn is blue collar to the core. A 3,000 yard rusher in high school at St. Anthony’s, Hahn accepted his role at Penn State knowing backs like Tony Hunt and Rodney Kinlaw would do most of the damage, but instead of wanting more carries, he blocked harder.
“I’m a hard worker, and I’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to get that shot,” Hahn said. “There are a lot of good players out there that don’t get that shot. I really feel fortunate enough that some coaches saw my film, they liked what I could do and the hard work is paying off.
“The hard work through high school and college and then even more hard work, extra hard work with rehab. I’m definitely pleased with the opportunity, but if I didn’t get the opportunity I wouldn’t feel any regrets for the work I’ve put in.”
Growing up a Giants fan, Hahn said the thought of playing close to home never crossed his mind. He’s just happy to have the opportunity to make it in the NFL.
“I was hoping any team in the NFL would pick me up,” Hahn said. “I don’t mind going to a place that has warm weather all the time.
“I’m going from the Penn State crowd to arguably the most passionate fans in the NFL. I’m getting a lucky opportunity to play in front of fans that love football both in college and the pros.”
