Introducing the new Hoosiers: Matt Mayberry

Matt Mayberry is 6-foot-2, 205 pounds and can play both sides of the ball as a linebacker and running back. He starred at Hinsdale South High School in Darien, Ill., as a fullback, middle linebacker and safety. As a senior, Mayberry proved his multi-dimensional talent as he rushed for 2,242 yards and 36 touchdowns, recorded 68 yards passing with one touchdown, 20 tackles, a 30-yard kick return average and 221 punt return yards as he led his team to a 10-2 finish. That production earned him all-state honors as well as the Reporter-Progress/Suburban Life All-Area Football Player of the Year award. \nMayberry owns several Hinsdale South school records for rushing yards (2,827) and touchdowns (39), single-season records for rushing yards (2,242), touchdowns (36) and points (186) and the single-game record for touchdowns (five).\nHe registered a 4.39-second 40-yard dash time en route to a No. 14 Illinois state ranking by Rivals.com and is regarded as the 61st-best linebacker in the country for the class of 2006.\nMayberry showed his ability to run the football when he ran for more than 280 yards on three different occassions. In a 42-18 victory over Lyons Township, Mayberry rushed for 293 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. He then went on to produce 290 yards with four touchdowns in a 42-28 victory over Downers Grove South . He followed those two regular season performances with a 287-yard, three-touchdown effort in a 48-28 playoff win over Bardley-Bourbonnais. \nRivals.com gave Mayberry a 5.5 out of 6.1 rating, meaning that he is an all-region selection; one of the top prospects in the region and among the top 500 prospects in the country. The rating also means that Mayberry has the potential to play professionally one day and that he has the ability to make an impact on a college team. \nWith the Hoosiers having depth at both the safety and linebacker position, his experience in all areas of the game should prove to be a valuable asset as IU strives to earn their first postseason berth since their loss to Virginia Tech University in the 1993 Independence Bowl.