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Matt Farniok

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Matt Farniok
Birmingham Stallions
Position:Center
Personal information
Born: (1997-09-26) September 26, 1997 (age 27)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:316 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school:Sioux Falls (SD) Washington
College:Nebraska (2016–2020)
NFL draft:2021 / round: 7 / pick: 238
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Games played:19
Games started:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Matt Farniok (born September 26, 1997) is an American professional football center for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. He played college football at Nebraska.

Early life

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Farniok attended Washington High School. As a sophomore, he became a starter at the offensive line. As a junior, he received Class 11AAA All-state and Sioux Falls Argus Leader's Elite 45 honors.

As a senior in 2015, he contributed to the team winning the state title. He received South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year, first-team Parade All-American, Class 11AAA All-state and Sioux Falls Argus Leader's Elite 45 honors.

Farniok was ranked as a three–star recruit by 247Sports.com coming out of high school.[1] He committed to Nebraska on January 27, 2016.[2]

College career

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As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 7 games with 4 starts. He had 2 starts at right tackle and 2 starts at right guard.

As a sophomore, he was named the starter at right tackle, contributing to the team averaging 456.2 yards of total offense. As a junior, he started all 12 games at right tackle.

As a senior in 2020, the football season was reduced to 8 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He became one of 13 two-time captains in school history, while starting all 8 games on the offensive line. He started 7 contests at right guard and one contest at center.[3]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+1⁄4 in
(1.96 m) 		311 lb
(141 kg) 		33+1⁄4 in
(0.84 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 5.20 s 1.78 s 3.07 s 4.47 s 7.19 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)		 8 ft 9 in
(2.67 m)		 28 reps
All values from Pro Day[4][5]

Dallas Cowboys

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Farniok was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round (238th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft.[6] He signed a four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021.[7] As a rookie, he appeared in 12 games, playing mostly in kick protection on special teams. He was declared inactive for the Wild Card playoff game.

In 2022, he appeared in 7 games, starting two at left guard in place of an injured Connor McGovern. In addition to being a backup guard and center, he also acted as a blocking fullback in certain goal-line plays. His offensive snaps decreased after Jason Peters was promoted to the active roster in Week 3. He suffered a torn hamstring injury, while blocking for an extra point attempt in the seventh game against the Detroit Lions. On October 26, 2022, Farniok was placed on injured reserve.

In the 2023 preseason, he fell on the depth chart behind rookies Asim Richards and T. J. Bass. He was waived on August 29, 2023.[8]

Chicago Bears

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On September 7, 2023, Farniok was signed to the practice squad of the Chicago Bears.[9] He was released on November 17.[10]

Detroit Lions

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On December 5, 2023, Farniok was signed to the Detroit Lions' practice squad.[11] He was released on January 5, 2024.[12] On January 23, Farniok re–signed with Detroit on a practice squad contract.[13] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 30, 2024.[14] Farniok was waived by the Lions on July 24.[15]

Birmingham Stallions

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On December 10, 2024, Farniok signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).[16]

Personal life

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Farniok has three brothers who all played football at the NCAA Division I level, Derek, Tom, and Will.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "Matt Farniok Recruiting Profile". 247Sports.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "Matt Farniok 247". 247Sports.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Halprin, Dave; Livesay, Connor (May 1, 2021). "NFL Draft results 2021: The Dallas Cowboys select Matt Farniok with the 238th pick (7th round)". Blogging the Boys. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "2021 NFL Draft Scout Matt Farniok College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  5. ^ "Matt Farniok NFL Draft 2021: Scouting Report for Dallas Cowboys OT". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  6. ^ "Former Washington Warrior Matt Farniok drafted by Dallas Cowboys". KELOLAND.com. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  7. ^ "Jaimes, Farniok sign rookie contracts". 247sports. May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "Cowboys announce 36 roster moves ahead of regular season". DallasCowboys.com. August 29, 2023.
  9. ^ "Chicago Bears have signed Matt Farniok to fill their 16-man practice squad". Windy City Gridiron. SB Nation. September 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Wiltfong Jr., Lester A. "Bears sign Doug Kramer to the practice squad". Windy City Gridiron. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  11. ^ "Lions place DT Alim McNeill on I.R. in series of roster moves". Lions Wire. USA Today. December 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Allen, Ely. "NFL Practice Squad Updates: 1/5/24". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  13. ^ "Lions shake up the practice squad ahead of the NFC Championship". lionswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "Detroit Lions sign 11 players to futures contracts". Pride of Detroit. SB Nation. January 30, 2024.
  15. ^ Risdon, Jeff. "Lions waive veteran OL at the start of training camp". Lions Wire. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  16. ^ "UFL Transactions". UFLBoard.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  17. ^ "Matt Farniok Bio". Nebraska Athletics. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
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